Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (women's)

steven · Tennis legend

Weeks 3-4 - Australian Open (women's)

TomTraubert · Futures level

for hev/joko Q spots are pretty kind just a hooro against Li Na to avoid (and hantuchova i guess)

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

The chances of drawing a seed are only supposed to be 1 in 3, but Laura has managed it three times in a row now (excluding US Open when she was seeded herself).

Tough opener especially with far from ideal preparations, but not unwinnable.

The draw doesn't even have the potential upside of opening up if she wins R1 that Wimbledon had. The way recent grand slam draws have gone for Laura she needs to get back in the top 32 as the only way to avoid a seed in R1.

-- Edited by tony_orient on Friday 10th of January 2014 12:25:57 AM

philwrig · Hall of fame

At least its best to get a crappy draw when you're injured. Saying that Flipkens is beatable in normal circumstances, sadly these are not normal circumstances.

TomTraubert · Futures level

flipper defo beatable but hot and cold so far this year
solid run to auckland sf losing to ivanovic 0 & 6
but this week in hobart as #2 seedjust got beat easy by muguraza after just eventually struggling past WR234 WC storm sanders in the previous round 3 sets, 2 of which went to TBs

Priesty · Challenger level

I've written Laura off before and been wrong, she does appear to be blessed with the ability to rise to the occasion and pull off the unexpected. In view of her lack of match practice this time though I'm not sure I'd be so confident.

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

She undoubtedly plays her best on the big stage, it's just the wrist that bothers me.

indiana · Tennis legend

I had hoped when Bally retired she would have simply passed down her traditional good Slam draws. Looks though that the minx may have sold out to some foreigner !

steven · Tennis legend

Laura is due to play her R1 match on Monday at midnight GMT on 'Court Hev'

(Show Court 3)

DF · Tennis legend

Hev the first match on Show Court 2 against Hantuchova too

Best of luck to both girls

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Laura and Heather both playing at the same time is not ideal, but first up is the best time in terms of watching without missing out on sleep.

It does also mean British interest in the women's event could be over very quickly. One win for Laura or Heather to stop that happening would be a good effort.

Heather's draw could have been a lot better - only 3 qualifiers out of 12 meet seeds in the first round. Heather has yet to beat a seed at a slam so she needs to break new ground to win. On the plus side Hantuchova has lost 5 of her last 6 first rounds at grand slams, so she is vulnerable in the opening match. A second round against Parmentier or Karolina Pliskova looks more than inviting too, though Serena in R3 might be tricky!

-- Edited by tony_orient on Saturday 11th of January 2014 09:27:07 AM

Spectator · All-time great

Oh bother. What is it with our women and seeds? Ironically, Ms Falconi, in as a LL, drew Medina.

Then again, she could have drawn Li Na ...

tony_orient · ATP qualifying

Laura says her wrist injury is fine according to this article (for some reason illustrated with Heather's 2012 grand slam performances): http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/tennis/25690363

Jan · Hall of fame

Hmm Hantuchova is tricky but definitely beatable - hopefully she will be coming in a bit cold and Hev will have played herself in by now.

briteny · Intermediate Club Player

I don't think Hantuchova is in good form, she recently lost those matches were not expected she lost it. Heather has a very good chance !