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Open field further bolstered by Hingis' return
JULIAN LINDEN
THE return of Martina Hingis has added an intriguing twist to an Australian Open women's tournament overflowing with talent and mystery.
The former world No1 appeared in six consecutive Australian Open finals between 1997 and 2002, winning three times, before injury forced her into premature retirement.
Now 24, Hingis is back for another shot at the title but the game is very different from when the "Swiss Miss" ruled. "Once you've been the best, there are no seconds," she said. "But I just want to play, see where I'm at and that's pretty much it."
There are at least a dozen genuine hopefuls for the first major of 2006. The field includes 10 grand slam winners and eight players who have held the No1 ranking, making it possibly the most open Australian Open staged at Melbourne Park.
The last seven women's grand slam tournaments have each been won by different players and, unlike the men's tournament, where world No1 Roger Federer is an overwhelming favourite, the rankings offer little guidance for finding the women's winner.
"Women's tennis is so interesting at the moment," said Belgian Kim Clijsters. "There's so many good players out there and it's so close, anyone can win. There's no Ms Federer in women's tennis."
Among the contenders, current world No1 Lindsay Davenport won the Australian Open in 2000 and was runner-up to Serena Williams last year.
Clijsters is ranked No2. She was runner-up in the Australian Open two years ago but has been plagued by injuries ever since.
Amelie Mauresmo also finished last year in great form, winning the season-ending championship but the powerfully-built Frenchwoman has not made a grand slam final since 1999.
Russian Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon two years ago but is yet to add to her collection of majors while the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, are also under fitness clouds and have slipped down the rankings, though their past records prove they can never be underestimated.
World No5 Mary Pierce reached the French and US Open finals last year while Justine Henin-Hardenne returned from injury to win the French Open.
JULIAN LINDEN
THE return of Martina Hingis has added an intriguing twist to an Australian Open women's tournament overflowing with talent and mystery.
The former world No1 appeared in six consecutive Australian Open finals between 1997 and 2002, winning three times, before injury forced her into premature retirement.
Now 24, Hingis is back for another shot at the title but the game is very different from when the "Swiss Miss" ruled. "Once you've been the best, there are no seconds," she said. "But I just want to play, see where I'm at and that's pretty much it."
There are at least a dozen genuine hopefuls for the first major of 2006. The field includes 10 grand slam winners and eight players who have held the No1 ranking, making it possibly the most open Australian Open staged at Melbourne Park.
The last seven women's grand slam tournaments have each been won by different players and, unlike the men's tournament, where world No1 Roger Federer is an overwhelming favourite, the rankings offer little guidance for finding the women's winner.
"Women's tennis is so interesting at the moment," said Belgian Kim Clijsters. "There's so many good players out there and it's so close, anyone can win. There's no Ms Federer in women's tennis."
Among the contenders, current world No1 Lindsay Davenport won the Australian Open in 2000 and was runner-up to Serena Williams last year.
Clijsters is ranked No2. She was runner-up in the Australian Open two years ago but has been plagued by injuries ever since.
Amelie Mauresmo also finished last year in great form, winning the season-ending championship but the powerfully-built Frenchwoman has not made a grand slam final since 1999.
Russian Maria Sharapova won Wimbledon two years ago but is yet to add to her collection of majors while the Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, are also under fitness clouds and have slipped down the rankings, though their past records prove they can never be underestimated.
World No5 Mary Pierce reached the French and US Open finals last year while Justine Henin-Hardenne returned from injury to win the French Open.
