TENNIS in DEPTH.

Defending champion Venus may again be the one to watch. Not only did the American sizzle in the desert when the Sony Ericsson Championships were held here last year, her biggest title win so far in 2009 was just down the road in Dubai.

But if anyone is due, maybe it’s Dementieva. Having won three titles and reached two Grand Slam semis this year the 28-year-old is making her ninth appearance at the event – the most of any active player. Serena has also qualified nine times, but on three occasions injury or illness has kept her on the sidelines.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Centre Court (from 17.00hrs)

1. Victoria Azarenka vs. Jelena Jankovic

2. Elena Dementieva vs. Venus Williams

3. Serena Williams vs. Svetlana Kuznetsova

This year’s doubles event also promises to enthrall, not least because Serena and Venus are in the field.

Roland Garros was the only Slam the sisters didn’t win in 2009, but although they also won at Stanford their trophy haul was surpassed by co-world No.1s Cara Black and Liezel Huber, who won five titles and are gunning for a third straight SEC crown this week. Spanish first-timers Nuria Llagostera Vives and María José Martínez Sánchez did even better, though, winning six titles. The draw is rounded out by Australians Samantha Stosur and, making her 14th SEC appearance, Rennae Stubbs.

The Williamses, who also qualified in 1998 but withdrew because Venus was injured, could achieve joint No.1 status if they win here – as long as Black and Huber don’t reach the final. Serena, therefore, has a rare shot at finishing the year as No.1 in both disciplines. At the start of the week, the difference between No.1 (Safina) and No.2 (Serena) is 155 points. Each round robin win awards 160 points, so the math is simple.

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