A look at the 2011
Hopman Cup field – Part 1
Each year, the tennis season begins with a spirited show of international tournament, as top contenders from both sides join forces at the Hopman Cup. The competition features both singles as well as mixed doubles clashes. Bettor.com
takes a look at the eight players on the WTA tour, taking part in next year’s edition of the event.
1. Ana Ivanovic
The Serbian tennis sensation, Ana Ivanovic will be making her second appearance at the Hopman Cup starting from January 1st, 2011. The 23-year-old, made her debut in the competition four years ago in 2006. The right-hander
along with her partner, Novak Djokovic, took Serbia to a mark of 2-1 however failed to reach the title battle. As the No.1 seed in next year’s edition, both Ana as well as the World No.3 Novak will be a tough pair to beat at the Burswood Dome in Perth. Ana
heads into the competition after ending the 2010 season on a high, capturing a title in Bali and returning to the top twenty on the tour after a twelve months absence.
2. Laura Robson
The talented tennis player from Great Britain finished second in the 2010 Hopman Cup, teaming up with the World No.4 Andy Murray, as Great Britain fell to Spain in the title battle. Laura lost all of her Round robin singles clashes
in her debut appearance at the Hopman Cup, however provided her side its only win in the final, getting the better of then World No.26 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez in two sets. Robson, along with her partner Murray are seeded No.2 to win the title at the 2011
competition.
The 16-year-old is currently placed 219th in the WTA rankings. However, the right-hander has been ranked as high as number 189 in the world. She fell in the first round of her debut Grand Slam main appearance at the
All England Club last year, after winning the junior’s girls crown back in 2009.
3. Justine Henin
The seven time major winner, Justine Henin, of Belgium has never played before in Perth, though she has been to the Hopman Cup five times though never capturing the crown.
The professional tennis player from Belgium has enjoyed great success in Australia though, picking up the nation's major crown back in Sydney in ‘04, ‘06 and ‘08. The hard court in Melbourne was also home to the right-hander, as
she reached all the way to the title battle as a wildcard. The Belgian has been absent on the tour since her grass court Grand Slam exit because of her elbow injury. The Hopman Cup, therefore, will be her first competition for her since the end of June. Justine
will be teamed up with Ruben Bemelmans, seeded third to win the title.
4. Francesca Schiavone
The 2010 French Open champion from Italy will make her third appearance in Perth, where she has an impressive 5-1 mark in singles clashes. Francesca’s only defeat came versus Anastasia Myskina back in 2005. Her country has never
captured the crown though, however as the No.4 seed in the event, she along with her partner Potito Starace will try to change that in 2011.
The professional tennis ace from Italy is coming off her most successful year yet, as she picked up her maiden Grand Slam crown at Roland Garros and thus registered her name as the second -oldest contender on the tour to win her
first major title.
The 30-year-old Italian, by virtue of this victory, also achieved her first top ten rankings on the tour. She is currently ranked number seven in the South African Airways WTA list.
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