Australian Open 2008 Day Thirteen Preview

Women’s Singles Final: Maria Sharapova plays Ana Ivanovic

In an all Eastern-European final, Maria Sharapova (5) from Russia will test her wits and whiles against the Serbian number four in the world, Ana Ivanovic (4). Although Sharapova is seeded fifth for the tournament she has played the better tennis leading up to the final.

She conquered former world number one, Lindsay Davenport with ease in the second round, and then went for the jugulars of the other seeds at Melbourne.

She unceremoniously crushed each and every one, starting with Elena Dementieva (11), progressing to the biggest upset of the women’s event, her brutal thrashing of the world number one, Justine Henin, and then on to her rout of Jelena Jankovic (3) in the semis. Not one of them stretched her to a third set!

Ivanovic had a slightly more harrowing trip to the final. Even though she beat most of her opponents with ease, Venus Williams (8) and Caroline Wozniacki did force her to second set tie breaks.

Her closest encounter came with her semi final match against ninth seed, Daniela Hantuchova – she lost the first set to the Slovakian, but then bounced back with great tenacity and verve to claim the remaining two set and the match.

One thing is for sure, it’s going to be a close contest – the pair has met on four previous occasions, and they share the honours right down the middle!

More Hot Picks for 2008 Australian Open Day Thirteen

• Men’s Doubles Final - Jonathan Erlich & Andy Ram (ISR) (8) play Arnaud Clement & Michael Llodra (FRA) (7)