By: Pranaya Rai

Nepal

We have already celebrated the victory of Justine Henin-Hardenne in Charleston 7 days ago and this week she will be in action at Warsaw, Poland playing at J&S Warsaw Cup.

Henin-Hardenne is without doubt one of the best clay court player women’s tennis can afford. She will be a heavy favorite this week in red clay at Warsaw despite entering as an unseeded player. If she wins this week, the tennis fans won’t get surprised because she still has that ability to be on top. In Charleston it was an example of just that.

This year in J & S Cup, the defending champ Venus Williams will be missed but the runner-up Svetlana Kuznetsova will be in action in the 7 days event where she will be the second seed. The Top seed is Amelie Maureshmo who has won here a year ago in 2003. The third seed will be Zvonareva followed by Swiss Patty Schnyder, Elena Bovina, Nathalie Dechy, Kim Clijsters and Farina-Elia. As a surprise, Kim Clijsters enters as WC despite being seeded 7^th!

All these players can be in contention to lift the trophy this year and stop Justine from winning. Let’s see what Justine’s week is going to be like…..

The prediction starts right from the first round…..

1^st Round………. Great warm-up!!!

As she is unseeded, Henin-Hardenne won’t receive a bye. She was used to it! Anyway, this won’t happen after few months! Her first challenger will be German Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Groenefeld is a tall player whose ranking resides under top 50. Groenefeld will find Henin too much for herself. Henin is making great steps to comeback to her level and Groenefeld can’t create much danger to her! So far the head-to-head is concerned, I don’t think these two players have ever encountered each other.

Prediction: Henin-Hardenne will beat her in two sets.

2^nd Round…….. First seeded player she will encounter.

Her Opponent in the 2^nd round is likely to be the 5^th seeded Russian Elena Bovina.

Elena Bovina might be the Top-15 player of the current rankings but she is yet to get the rhythm this year after a delayed start to the season. Justine has won every match she has played against Bovina. Justine will power her opponent this time again and make herself a place in the QF.

Prediction: Justine in 2 stretchy sets

Quarterfinals………… Trouble starts…….

Her most likely opponent in the quarters should be Patty Schnyder. This face-to-face is going to be an exciting one. Patty is the 4^th seed in the tournament. Schnyder is a lefthander and can be a trouble for Justine. Patty serves tricky and Henin delivers a rocket. Both have the ability to use spins and powers. A real clay-court match can take place here. Still it will be the Queen Belgian who will come out with yet another enthralling victory. If she can win this one Henin-Hardenne will start to pump herself in the semifinals.

Prediction: Henin-Hardenne in three sets or may be even in 2 difficult sets.

Semifinals………. Test of power for Justine………

Opponent: Amelie Maureshmo.

Yes, Amelie should get so far being the Top seed but don’t get surprised if in place of her Ana Ivanovic gets there. But Amelie still has better chances.

They haven’t met each other this year. Last year they met three times and Henin won two of them. Their last meeting was at the Olympics final where Henin won in straight sets. Their last meeting in clay was at Amelie Island last year where Amelie won in three sets. It is going to be a great match which fans should enjoy. Amelie is at no.3 in the rankings. Every time they have faced each other, the match comes out better. So, expect a great match and get your fingers crossed for Justine to win.

Prediction: I am taking a huge risk. Justine will win! I believe in her, she can win. Justine can pull this great match up in 3 sets struggle. And she will be in another final.

Finals………. Two straight finals can be challenging

Justine can face Kim Clijsters in the final. Wow! An All-Belgian final in more than a year! Sounds amazing. But there is possibility when both are making waves by doing nothing but winning. This match can prove they are nearly perfectly back.

Okay, though Kim has 14 match winning ride and can have 18 match winning streak by then! Is it possible! Both will trade excellent rallies and again I want to say, with full pride I want to write Justine will be the J& S Cup 2005 champion.

Prediction: In three thrilling thrash. 3T.

I have predicted Justine as the champion this week. Let’s see how she is going to perform. Best of Luck Justine for a great week ahead and hope she can come with another title this week.!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Visit the Justine Henin-Hardenne page here

Betting box Only one click and you're in the sports zone soccer tennis formula 1 boxing basketball a. football golf ice hockey horses specials FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCT