Jan. 10, 2008 -Justine Henin goes into the Australian Open (Jan. 14 - 27) as the overwhelming favorite, but there is no shortage of challengers facing the women’s world No1. Fans can expect to see the world’s best players with all 32 of the top ranked women scheduled to compete.
Among the challengers is defending champion Serena Williams (7), who stunned the tennis world by winning the title last year — following an injury-plagued 2006 that had many writing her off for good.
Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova (2) and Anna Chakvetadze (6) and the high-flying Serbian pair Jelena Jankovic (3) and Ana Ivanovic (4) are also formidable foes.
Russian Maria Sharapova (5), last year’s beaten finalist, will also be in the hunt, as will Serena’s sister Venus (8), a six-time grand slam winner still searching for her maiden Australian Open title.
Veteran Lindsay Davenport is also a dangerous floater at the Melbourne event. The former world number one announced her retirement last year but is back, and with a vengeance. Since returning to competitive tennis in September following the birth of her son, Davenport has won 18 of 19 matches and three of four titles. Currently ranked 52 in the world and unseeded in Melbourne, the three-time Grand Slam winner is more than capable of working her way into the tournament.
Top seed Henin finished 2007 with 10 titles, including the grand slam double of the US Open and French Open.
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