 |
| Serena Williams |
Serena Williams has been pitched into a potential second-round showdown with comeback star Justine Henin at next week's Sydney International following the draw made here on Saturday.
The world number one, who is bidding for her 12th major title at this month's Australian Open, will receive a bye into the second round of the Sydney event.
Henin, who is making a return to tennis after 19 months, will have to negotiate a first-round encounter with Spaniard Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez before taking up her 14th career meeting with the American.
“It's good. It will be a good test for her, and for me,” said Williams, who arrived here on Saturday.
Seven-time grand slam champion Henin has made an immediate impact in her return to professional tennis, storming to the final of the Brisbane International against fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters.
Williams said she expected her great rival to be ready for their likely showdown, with the American leading 7-6.
Williams said she didn't feel any added pressure to retain her top ranking with both Clijsters and Henin returning to big-time tennis.
“I don't think about it a lot. I've got a lot on my plate. Everyone assumes that I'm number one anyway,” she said.
“My main goals are always to stay healthy and that's a huge goal for any athlete.
“For me, it's all about doing the best that I can. Obviously, I love playing well in all the grand slams and I hate to lose, regardless of where it is.” Williams refused to discuss her outburst over a foot fault call in last September's US Open semi-final in New York, which led to a record fine and two years of probation.
“It's all about now,” she said. “I feel it's over. It was what it was. I think I've spoken enough about it.” Nine of the world's top 10 women players will be in the Sydney International, which starts on Sunday and is the last major lead-up tournament to the January 18-31 Australian Open in Melbourne.
World number two Russian Dinara Safina also has a bye into the second round where she will face either Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska or a qualifier, while third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova has an all-Russian opener against Alisa Kleybanova.
Fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark takes on China's Li Na in the first round.
Australian Lleyton Hewitt, bidding for a record fifth men's Sydney ATP title, has a bye but could face former Australian Open runner-up Marcos Baghdatis in the quarter-finals.
The unseeded Baghdatis launches his campaign against Australian Nick Lindahl, while French top seed Gael Monfils has an opening round bye before a second round encounter with either Italian Potito Starace or a qualifier.
Czech second seed Tomas Berdych will take on Argentine Jose Acasuso or Australian Peter Luczak after his first-round bye.
|
E-mail
