Out of this world

is always dangerous on the Australian Rebound Ace courts, the talented Elena Likhovtseva and Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario who is the last person to beat Venus. However, the big test will probably not arrive until the semi finals when she possibly faces 3rd seed Monica Seles in an all-American encounter. Seeded to meet her in the final is top seed and defending champion Lindsay Davenport who is on a mission to keep her title for another four years. Assuming they both reach the final - and the likelihood of that happening is almost certain - will Davenport be able to beat Williams this time? Davenport leads Williams 9-6 in their career head-to-head meetings, however she has lost to Williams in five of the last six meetings, and has dropped all three encounters this year in straight sets. The momentum in this rivalry has definitely shifted and if it continues in this fashion, it is likely that Davenport will have to face a psychological hurdle whenever she plays Venus, as she does against Serena.

Still, there are five matches to be played until we get to talk about who will win the gold medal match. A good, solid draw with five players in the top 10 and ten in the top 20, it may not have the Grand Slam aura about it with the players but there is definitely some strong competition there. Look for Elena Dementieva to try and repeat her success at the US Open with a good run at the Olympics – if she plays her best, there is no doubt that she can reach at least the semi finals. Jelena Dokic, the big Australian hope, faces a tough draw as she opens against 14th seed Ai Sugiyama and could face Davenport in the third round. Veterans Conchita Martinez and Sandrine Testud are also in with a fighting chance to reach the semi finals. Amanda Coetzer is a tough player who could also present problems. Iva Majoli hasn’t done much in tennis since her 97 French Open victory and she will be hoping that the Olympics can pull her back into major league status. And also there are so many young talented players in the draw, including Iroda Tulyaganova, Alicia Molik, Maria Emlia Salerni, Daniela Bedanova, Katarina Srebotnik, Anastasia Myskina and Tina Pisnik who will all be vying for Olympic glory.

But when all is said and done, it is hard not

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