Elena will probably have to play to a pretty high level to win this. Dubois has a CH of 95 from 2008 but I do note that the 23 yo Canadian's end of year rankings for the last 5 years have just ranged from 101 to 134 so seems very consistent.
Bally can draw on having qualified here before (two years ago) and if successful has Schiavone, Razzano, Suarez-Navarro or Olaru as prospective first round opponents.
I like those first rounders! Anne beat CSN in Oz early last year and has also beaten Schiavone in the USO 08. Razzano played amazing in Dubai last year, but didnt do much on hards outside of that bizarre run, and also just edged Anne on Aussie hards while Olaru is far more comfortable on the clay and wouldnt be ranked anywhere nearly as highly based solely on hard court results. Nevertheless she found herself bagelled and breadsticked by none other than....Anne!
I believe Bally is capable of beating any of those four women.
Great for Bally to start off her season here with two solid wins and hopefully she can win against Dubois and get a decent draw here.
Disappointing to say the least from Katie and she will need to step up over the coming if she is going to stay in the top 100.
Winnable first round for Sarah and Raquel and I feel Sarah needs a good start to the season to get her ranking going again after an indifferent last year.