grafrules
Banned
Does anyone think Lindsay Davenport will win any more Slams in her comeback? I know she hasnt won one since the 2000 Australian Open, but boy it was hard to come as close as she did as many times, play as well for as long as she did, and mantain the overall performance level on tour she did for the period of time she did, without winning another. The most unlucky period was in the years 2004-2005 where she was so close to winning as many as 4, but all slipped away one way or the other. People will mention her age of course but some women have actually come back stronger then ever after pregnancy. Assuming she is able to overcome age and play at the level to contend for Slam titles again, here is her opposition broken down:
Justine Henin- probably the most imposing obstacle of all for Lindsay. She has won 7 matches in a row with Lindsay (8 if you include a default) and is also the current and worthy World #1 and has won 7 slams in the last 5 years, reaching 10 finals, and 13 semifinals, out of 17 slams played. However it is possible for Lindsay to not have to play her at some point to win a Slam. As great as Justine is she has not been able to prove herself as being able to dominate the womens game, she has proven to be able to do very well on all surfaces and be the clear #1 but as of yet not dominate. 4 of her 7 Slam titles are at the French Open. This year is her first year winning 2 slams in the same year since 2003. Her recent U.S Open title was her first non-French Open Slam win since the 2004 Australian Open. Last year she reached all 4 Slam finals and lost 3 of the 4, despite being favored in all 4. Granted those were finals, so in theory if you doubt Lindsay's chances of beating her given their head to head of last several years it would seem she would still need to go through Justine, however those final losses were to Mauresmo and Sharapova, which are matches that could easily have happened in another round.
Venus Williams- this has been her strongest year of tennis since 2003 but she still is unpredictable and not at her best. She is closer to her former best then her sister seemingly, but she is still a wild card and she could even regress further back to her underperforming play of recent years.
Serena Williams- Like Venus this was her strongest year of tennis since 2003, but still not to the point of removing uncertainty about her, or back at her best level. In fact she seems even further then her sister, who atleast seems physically fitter and more trained at the moment. Again like her sister, who knows if she mantains or moves even more in the direction of closer to peak condition and her own peak level, or regresses further back. You never know with the sisters these days. In fairness to her she got and unlucky draw of playing Justine Henin in the quarters of her last 3 slams, and ended up losing in the quarters all 3 times. On the other hand that does not change the fact she isnt playing regularly enough to seem fully commited, and certainly does not look fit enough for one to believe she is fully commited. Against Justine Henin at the U.S Open she seemed gassed in the 2nd set to be honest.
Jelena Jankovic- Well Lindsay has already played her twice very early in her comeback, both of Lindsay's two tournaments back. Lindsay is an even 1-1 with her, and surely being so soon in her comeback is being very disadvantaged to when she has more matches and tournaments under her belt. Jelena has proven to be a consistent performer, she has also not proven herself to have the extra gear needed to breakthrough in a big event of yet. She is a potential legit opponent for Lindsay, but far from an insurmountable obstacle, especialy in grand slams. Some people I have read say Jelena may have been worn down when she lost to Lindsay, well in addition to the fact playing your first tournament in a year is a bigger disadvantage, Jelena will always be "worn down" including at the Slams unless she changes her schedule so the point is moot, it is no different then normal for her until she changes her philosophy.
Ana Ivanovic- I dont see why she would be too much trouble for Lindsay at this point. She is basically a less outstanding version of Lindsay's own game. She brings no unique qualities to the table like the above players do. Her forehand is her best shot and the shot will will bring Lindsay most trouble, but that is only when it is "on" which is sometimes and sometimes not with her. Lindsay is clearly superior in every other shot, and I dont think Ana moves significantly better, if at all.
Maria Sharapova- I would honestly say the same thing, pretty much just a less outstanding version of Lindsay's own game while bringing nothing unique to the table other then that to threaten Lindsay. However I will probably be scrutinized for those comments given her very good head to head with Lindsay of 4-1, and the fact I am talking about a 2-time Slam Champion. Well the way she ended this year she seems on the down now, I cant see her being as strong or confident going into next year she was going into 2005, 2006, or 2007. I think alot of the mystique has worn off about her, and people have figured out her one-dimensional game. It is like the realization has come over other players "wow she isnt that great, she is really good, but not that great, she is definitely beatable." I saw those Maria-Lindsay matches and I cant understand how Lindsay did not manage to win some of those 4 matches she lost. If you watch the matches she had so many opportunities, leads, break points, game points, I know it sounds like a cop out but she honestly just had some bad luck in a few of those I feel. Or to a certain point Maria may have been the stronger competitor on the day, but that is less likely now with her own shaky confidence, and the more relaxed mindset of Lindsay.
Svetlana Kuznetsova- She is having herself a pretty good year but isnt coming up with real big wins in a slam event or even a tier 1 tournament of yet. She reached the U.S Open final not with big wins, but with a kind draw, and players she was generally expected to beat, with only 1 close call kind of match going in (Chakvetadze) but still not some big win for her exactly. Her first match she was a clear underdog for at the U.S Open was the final, and she did nothing to surprise getting stomped by Henin. At the first two slams she lost to Peer and Ivanovic, not exactly bad losses, but matches you would think she had a decent chance in but lost anyway, then at Wimbledon losing to eventual Champion Venus Williams, an expected loss but still failing to come up with that really big win in a slam this year. She has some mild success with Lindsay, but Lindsay still has the general upper hand in their history. You would have to like Lindsay's chances if they play, especialy late in a slam, I think.
Chakvetadze- I guess I should make note of her but she her game style goes right into what Lindsay likes I think. She isnt that powerful a hitter or particularly athletic, she just plays an extremely crafty game, with very precise shots, but hits a nice clean ball which still lacks extra sting or heaviness behind it which Lindsay will probably T off on. Also she has shown to be a consistent performer both on tour and in slams, which is why she is ranked where she is, but that big win over a top player in a grand slam has not happened yet. She melted down after the first set of her U.S Open semifinal with Kuznetsova, suggesting she wasnt quite ready at that point, and we will have to see how long until she is.
The others? Are there really any others that worth noting?
Vaidisova- seems to be losing ground to Jankovic and Ivanovic. Shows promise at times then goes backwards again. Not sure if she will ever fulfill her potential but does not seem ready right now.
Hingis- early strong comeback has sputtered. Who knows how much longer she keeps playing, Linsday should have the upper hand if they play as she has for the most part since 1998.
Peer- some good early season performances, but has stagnated since. Not a real slam threat at this point.
Dementieva- despite improved serving, seems to have slipped off the elite radar.
Petrova- window as a real contender seems to have closed as well.
Mauresmo- seems to spent from the long emotional struggle to finally win those 2 majors after so many years near the top and dissapointing near-misses previous. Doesnt seem to have anything left to give and will likely fade to retirement from here. Lindsay owns her anyway.
Schnyder- a good small event performer. Not a big time slam performer especialy in a matchup with a real top player.
Justine Henin- probably the most imposing obstacle of all for Lindsay. She has won 7 matches in a row with Lindsay (8 if you include a default) and is also the current and worthy World #1 and has won 7 slams in the last 5 years, reaching 10 finals, and 13 semifinals, out of 17 slams played. However it is possible for Lindsay to not have to play her at some point to win a Slam. As great as Justine is she has not been able to prove herself as being able to dominate the womens game, she has proven to be able to do very well on all surfaces and be the clear #1 but as of yet not dominate. 4 of her 7 Slam titles are at the French Open. This year is her first year winning 2 slams in the same year since 2003. Her recent U.S Open title was her first non-French Open Slam win since the 2004 Australian Open. Last year she reached all 4 Slam finals and lost 3 of the 4, despite being favored in all 4. Granted those were finals, so in theory if you doubt Lindsay's chances of beating her given their head to head of last several years it would seem she would still need to go through Justine, however those final losses were to Mauresmo and Sharapova, which are matches that could easily have happened in another round.
Venus Williams- this has been her strongest year of tennis since 2003 but she still is unpredictable and not at her best. She is closer to her former best then her sister seemingly, but she is still a wild card and she could even regress further back to her underperforming play of recent years.
Serena Williams- Like Venus this was her strongest year of tennis since 2003, but still not to the point of removing uncertainty about her, or back at her best level. In fact she seems even further then her sister, who atleast seems physically fitter and more trained at the moment. Again like her sister, who knows if she mantains or moves even more in the direction of closer to peak condition and her own peak level, or regresses further back. You never know with the sisters these days. In fairness to her she got and unlucky draw of playing Justine Henin in the quarters of her last 3 slams, and ended up losing in the quarters all 3 times. On the other hand that does not change the fact she isnt playing regularly enough to seem fully commited, and certainly does not look fit enough for one to believe she is fully commited. Against Justine Henin at the U.S Open she seemed gassed in the 2nd set to be honest.
Jelena Jankovic- Well Lindsay has already played her twice very early in her comeback, both of Lindsay's two tournaments back. Lindsay is an even 1-1 with her, and surely being so soon in her comeback is being very disadvantaged to when she has more matches and tournaments under her belt. Jelena has proven to be a consistent performer, she has also not proven herself to have the extra gear needed to breakthrough in a big event of yet. She is a potential legit opponent for Lindsay, but far from an insurmountable obstacle, especialy in grand slams. Some people I have read say Jelena may have been worn down when she lost to Lindsay, well in addition to the fact playing your first tournament in a year is a bigger disadvantage, Jelena will always be "worn down" including at the Slams unless she changes her schedule so the point is moot, it is no different then normal for her until she changes her philosophy.
Ana Ivanovic- I dont see why she would be too much trouble for Lindsay at this point. She is basically a less outstanding version of Lindsay's own game. She brings no unique qualities to the table like the above players do. Her forehand is her best shot and the shot will will bring Lindsay most trouble, but that is only when it is "on" which is sometimes and sometimes not with her. Lindsay is clearly superior in every other shot, and I dont think Ana moves significantly better, if at all.
Maria Sharapova- I would honestly say the same thing, pretty much just a less outstanding version of Lindsay's own game while bringing nothing unique to the table other then that to threaten Lindsay. However I will probably be scrutinized for those comments given her very good head to head with Lindsay of 4-1, and the fact I am talking about a 2-time Slam Champion. Well the way she ended this year she seems on the down now, I cant see her being as strong or confident going into next year she was going into 2005, 2006, or 2007. I think alot of the mystique has worn off about her, and people have figured out her one-dimensional game. It is like the realization has come over other players "wow she isnt that great, she is really good, but not that great, she is definitely beatable." I saw those Maria-Lindsay matches and I cant understand how Lindsay did not manage to win some of those 4 matches she lost. If you watch the matches she had so many opportunities, leads, break points, game points, I know it sounds like a cop out but she honestly just had some bad luck in a few of those I feel. Or to a certain point Maria may have been the stronger competitor on the day, but that is less likely now with her own shaky confidence, and the more relaxed mindset of Lindsay.
Svetlana Kuznetsova- She is having herself a pretty good year but isnt coming up with real big wins in a slam event or even a tier 1 tournament of yet. She reached the U.S Open final not with big wins, but with a kind draw, and players she was generally expected to beat, with only 1 close call kind of match going in (Chakvetadze) but still not some big win for her exactly. Her first match she was a clear underdog for at the U.S Open was the final, and she did nothing to surprise getting stomped by Henin. At the first two slams she lost to Peer and Ivanovic, not exactly bad losses, but matches you would think she had a decent chance in but lost anyway, then at Wimbledon losing to eventual Champion Venus Williams, an expected loss but still failing to come up with that really big win in a slam this year. She has some mild success with Lindsay, but Lindsay still has the general upper hand in their history. You would have to like Lindsay's chances if they play, especialy late in a slam, I think.
Chakvetadze- I guess I should make note of her but she her game style goes right into what Lindsay likes I think. She isnt that powerful a hitter or particularly athletic, she just plays an extremely crafty game, with very precise shots, but hits a nice clean ball which still lacks extra sting or heaviness behind it which Lindsay will probably T off on. Also she has shown to be a consistent performer both on tour and in slams, which is why she is ranked where she is, but that big win over a top player in a grand slam has not happened yet. She melted down after the first set of her U.S Open semifinal with Kuznetsova, suggesting she wasnt quite ready at that point, and we will have to see how long until she is.
The others? Are there really any others that worth noting?
Vaidisova- seems to be losing ground to Jankovic and Ivanovic. Shows promise at times then goes backwards again. Not sure if she will ever fulfill her potential but does not seem ready right now.
Hingis- early strong comeback has sputtered. Who knows how much longer she keeps playing, Linsday should have the upper hand if they play as she has for the most part since 1998.
Peer- some good early season performances, but has stagnated since. Not a real slam threat at this point.
Dementieva- despite improved serving, seems to have slipped off the elite radar.
Petrova- window as a real contender seems to have closed as well.
Mauresmo- seems to spent from the long emotional struggle to finally win those 2 majors after so many years near the top and dissapointing near-misses previous. Doesnt seem to have anything left to give and will likely fade to retirement from here. Lindsay owns her anyway.
Schnyder- a good small event performer. Not a big time slam performer especialy in a matchup with a real top player.
