Who can stop the relentless advance of Russia's 'tsarinas' is the question as an injury-hit Australian Open women's singles gets under way here on Monday. Having never won a grand slam title before last season, Russian women now stand on the brink of holding all four major crowns at the same time, with a powerful Open contingent that includes five of the top 10 seeds.
A multi-pronged challenge will be led by Roland Garros winner Anastasia Myskina, teenage Wimbledon queen Maria Sharapova and US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Many believe it is 17-year-old Sharapova who is the best equipped to prevail during the Melbourne fortnight, possessing a powerful all-round game and a steely mentality that belie her tender years.
Yet the US-based number four seed refused to speculate on what the next fortnight and forthcoming season might hold in store.
"I can't predict the future, what is going to happen," Sharapova said. "You know, I would never have predicted that I would have won Wimbledon last year, so why predict what's going to happen this year?"
Sharapova, who opens against lowly ranked Sesil Karatantcheva of Bulgaria on Monday, said she believes any player in the top 10 had a chance.
"Women's tennis is very competitive at the moment," she said. "Everyone in the top 10 are very good players, and you know when you play them you're going to have a tough game."
Sharapova's comments were echoed by fifth seed Kuznetsova, who faces unheralded American Jessica Kirland in the first round.
"Many players can win. I think it's really open," said Kuznetsova, saying she expected Russians players would be targeted after their success last year.
"Players will definitely prepare better for our matches now," Kuznetsova said. "There is more pressure on us because we already did something good and we have to keep going, and people expect from us." The path to the title has opened up for the Russian contingent, thanks to the withdrawal through injury of last year's winner Justine Henin-Hardenne, beaten finalist Kim Clijsters and former champion Jennifer Capriati.
But while form and sheer weight of numbers point to the Russians, the bookmakers have installed former world number one Serena Williams as favourite.
Williams, who has not played in Melbourne since winning here two years ago, failed to win a grand slam title last season but is adamant she can come back after an injury-plagued season.
"I can definitely get back there," said Williams. "I don't have any issues." Williams is seeded seven for the tournament and opens her campaign against France's Camille Pin on Monday.
Big sister Venus, meanwhile, who has not won a grand slam crown since the 2001 US Open, is also confident she can end her major drought.
"I know for a fact that I have the same ability as before, even better than before actually," Williams said. "I definitely understand the game much better. It's just about being able to take those opportunities." World number one Lindsay Davenport represents the other major challenge to Russian domination, and has declared herself fit after being laid low by bronchitis last week. "I'm a hundred percent playing," she said on Sunday. "I'm feeling better. I've definitely got some more energy and gotten most of my voice back.
"Of course you never know till you're out playing in a match and running a lot. But I would think by Tuesday I should be a hundred percent." Davenport, who shelved retirement plans after rediscovering her best form in the second half of last season, said the fact all four 2004 slams were won by different players was proof of the strength in the women's game. "It seemed like last year was the most open it's been for a long time, with four different slam winners," said the 28-year-old American, who faces a tricky opener against Conchita Martinez of Spain on Tuesday.
"Three of them were relative underdogs. It kind of proved that these days you can't have a sure bet on who is going to actually come through and win. "Whoever's playing the best and the most consistent was the winner. It didn't have anything to do with who was the bigger name, or who was supposed to win. It was just whoever was left standing at the end."
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