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Preparing for a Grand Slam Triumph - Page 6

© Michael Cecilio

Floaters who could trouble her in her section of 16: Mary Joe FERNANDEZ, Barbara SCHWARTZ.
Seeds in her quarter: 6-Amanda COETZER, 12-Barbara SCHETT, 13-Dominique VAN ROOST (4R).

Her path (a prediction):
1R defeats Qualifier (two sets)
2R defeats Anne-Gaelle Sidot (two sets)
3R defeats Henrieta Nagyova (two sets)
4R defeats Mary Joe Fernandez (two sets)
QF defeats 12-Barbara Schett (two sets)
SF loses to 1-Martina Hingis (two sets)

MONICA SELES (USA)
1999 US Open Seeding: 4
Current Singles Ranking: 5
Career Singles Titles: 44
Best Performance in a Grand Slam: WINNER - 90,91,92 French Open; 91,92,93,96 Australian Open; 91,92 US Open
Best Performance at Flushing Meadows: WINNER (1991,1992)
1998 US Open Performance: QUARTER FINALIST (defeated Po; lost to Hingis)

Summer hardcourt season performances
FINALIST
TORONTO (defeated Panova, Likhovtseva, Schett, Sidot; lost to Hingis)
SEMI FINALIST
NEW HAVEN (defeated Likhovtseva, Coetzer; lost to V.Williams)

The draw analysis: We know that the injuries Monica suffered at Fed Cup are no longer a problem for her as she reached the final of the Canadian Open last week. Given her recent improvement in form, I believe there is no one out there in the tennis world who would not like to see Monica hoist the trophy this year. With Steffi's recent retirement, the label of "sentimental favourite" rests solely on Monica's shoulders, and given all she has been through, winning another major would be nothing less than incredible. However, she was a little unlucky to draw Serena Williams in the quarter finals. Any other seed from 5 to 8 would have been an easier task for Seles to deal with as Serena has given her some problems in the previous two matches they have played. Serena has an edge over Monica in both power and fitness but Monica may have the edge when it comes to experience. Of course, given Williams reaches this stage of the tournament, it would be her first quarter final appearance in a Grand Slam, and Monica would be hoping that Serena comes out nervous and unsettled for their encounter. Otherwise, given recent injuries do not flare up, Seles should be fairly untroubled until the last eight, although she could face Silvia Farina in the second round, the girl who beat her in Fed Cup a month ago. The powerful Alexandra Stevenson and the former teen phenom Jennifer Capriati loom as potential fourth round opponents, however, both play with too much inconsistency to trouble Seles.

Floaters who could trouble her in her section of 16: Jennifer CAPRIATI, Silvia FARINA, Alexandra STEVENSON

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