And now to the women. It has been a Cinderella story in Melbourne for seven-time grand slam champion Serena Williams. The 2003 and 2005 Australian Open victor, Williams was sidelined with injuries for most of 2006, playing a grand total of four tournaments during the season, and returning home with no titles. She entered the Australian Open tournament as an unseeded wild card, ranked No. 81 in the world, and has gone above and beyond all expectations, possibly even her own. Yesterday she defeated Nicole Vaidisova in straight sets and has now become the first unseeded woman in eight years to reach the final of the Australian Open.
The other side of draw has been much more predictable with world No.1 and reigning US Open champion Maria Sharapova reaching the final. Sharapova has had a relatively easy road to the title game, playing only one three-set match in the first round throughout the entire tournament.
Both women have taken big games from each other: Sharapova defeated Williams in the 2004 Wimbledon final, while Serena knocked Sharapova out of the 2005 Australian Open in the semifinals. They have similar styles as well, with powerful, precise baseline strokes. Certainly, there is much more at stake for Sharapova, but she has proven to be a formidable competitor throughout her career.
The pick: Tomorrow's match is a toss-up. Williams, on sentimental value alone. Everyone likes the big comeback.
-by Kelley Vendeland
