This is a big year for the Serbian duo Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic. The pair have been at the top of the women's game for the eight months since the shock retirement of Justine Henin in May, but to say they have failed to convince would be an understatement. A new year is a new chance for them and the rest of the young players at the top end of the WTA rankings to show they are ready to propel the women's game to an exciting new level, rather than the mediocrity that was at best the level watched at Wimbledon and the US Open and the second half of last season.
The Williams sisters won Wimbledon (Venus) and the US Open (Serena) and looked to be a class above anything else in the field, which makes a mockery of the current rankings that have Serena second and Venus sixth. The rankings at present reward consistency rather than impressive victories, with it coming across that the Williams sisters win when it matters and allow the lesser mortals to pick up the scraps that they are not too bothered about.
But it is up to Jankovic, Ivanovic and the Russian brigade to prove this view wrong and show they can win on the big stage, starting on Monday when the Australian Open, the first grand slam of the season, begins in Melbourne. The men's world No 2 Roger Federer criticised the rankings last week for allowing Jankovic, who is yet to win a grand slam, to be No 1 and it is down to the Serbian to prove she is worth that status by doing her talking on the court.
She has the game to do well in Australia as her run to the semi-finals last year demonstrated, but illness and injury have hurt her build-up and her form. For the rankings and her own credibility she needs to put in a strong showing and win her first grand slam, although even at her best she may not have enough if the Williams sisters bring their A game to proceedings. But the draw has been kind to her and she will not have to face a Williams before the final, and the only player who really should trouble her is Dinara Safina, who she could meet in the last four.
She plays the Austrian Yvonne Meusburger in the first round. The world No 5 Ivanovic was the last non-Williams player to win a grand slam at the French Open last year, but her game fell apart after she claimed her first major. Being No 1 seemed to hinder her rather than inspire her, and she put in woeful display at Wimbledon, getting knocked out in the second round after being lucky to get through the first.
Lack of confidence and poor serving ensured she fell down the rankings from No 1. More belief in her ability and more consistency is needed if Ivanovic, 21, is to get back to the top. However, her disappointing loss to Amelie Mauresmo in Brisbane earlier this month indicates she is still some way from her best, and it would be a surprise if she featured strongly in the latter rounds in Melbourne and matched last year's runners-up spot.
But in truth the Australian Open is going to be all about the Williams sisters - or rather what mood they are in. If they arrive focused and determined they will be a frightening prospect. But if their minds are not on the job in hand then the field will have a chance. Serena, 27, the No 2 seed, has won the title three times, most recently in 2007, while Venus, who is seeded sixth, has never won in Melbourne, despite her dominance and power, with a runners-up spot in 2003, when she was beaten by her sister, the best she has done.
That will be something she will want to put right this year, and her string of wins in exhibition play in Hong Kong indicates she is in good form. Serena is likely to be the person who stands in her way and they are scheduled to meet in the semi-finals, and it will be a shock if that clash doesn't happen. If the last few months of last year were anything to go by, the Williams sisters still have a class advantage, and if they play to their potential then it is going to take something very special from someone to stop either Venus or Serena lifting the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on Saturday Jan 31.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
