Two women’s semifinalists at the 2013 Australian Open face powerful but inconsistent opponents as their 2014 campaigns in Melbourne begin.

Worth the Hype?  Maria Sharapova vs. Bethanie Mattek-Sands

As is the case at most Grand Slam events, there are a handful of opening encounters that many folks look to as potentially becoming the first major upset to make headlines.  One such match at this year’s Australian Open is the contest between Maria Sharapova and Bethanie Mattek-Sands. 

On paper, it is hard to imagine why there is any semblance of a buzz around this match.  Over the course of their careers, Sharapova has owned Mattek-Sands, leading their head-to-head 5-0.  Of those five encounters, only one match went the distance, and the remaining four were decidedly one-way traffic for the Russian.  Then again, it is worth noting that the most recent of these five meetings occurred nearly four years ago, and Mattek-Sands has grown as a player since then. 

Tennis is also a game that focuses on what a player has done recently, and here again, Mattek-Sands has a positive result working in her favor.  She fought her way through the qualifying last week in Sydney and managed to knock out the tournament’s top seed Agnieszka Radwanska in round of 16, a result that has a number of fans and pundits believing the American has a shot at continuing her good run of form against the likes of Sharapova.

Mattek-Sands still will have to fight an uphill battle if she hopes to build on her result in Sydney, however.  Aside from her dismal record against Sharapova, Mattek-Sands knows that she has yet to escape the first round in singles play at the Australian Open.  She may also still be feeling the effects of the lower back injury that forced her to retire from her match against Madison Keys in Sydney.  But assuming Mattek-Sands is sufficiently healed and does not let the memories of the past weigh her down, she is in with a chance.  She has a nice all-court game, and she does have some big match experience in Melbourne, having won the mixed doubles crown in 2012 with Horia Tecau.  If she is able to get her game firing on all cylinders, the upset might be hers for the taking.

Naturally, Maria Sharapova has plenty working in her favor.  She should be able to dominate the vast majority of the rallies given that, outside of volleying, she does everything better and bigger than Mattek-Sands.  She has also been a relatively consistent performer in Melbourne.  Aside from winning the title in 2008, she has reached the second week in each of the last three years, including a finalist appearance in 2012 and a semifinal showing last season.  The Russian should be secure in the knowledge that this match is in her hands.

Of course, that does not mean that Sharapova will be immune to experiencing some lingering doubts and insecurities.  She may have reached the semifinals in Brisbane leading up to this event, but that run included having to come from behind against Kaia Kanepi in the quarterfinals.  She also knows that, after the miserable way her 2013 ended, she needs to get back on the wagon quickly.  And it is unlikely that she has completely forgotten losing to Maria Kirilenko in the first round of the 2010 Australian Open, a defeat that came thanks in large part to her own inconsistency.

Much of this match’s outcome will depend on Sharapova, but Mattek-Sands will do everything in her power to earn her first berth in the second round of the Australian Open by virtue of a colossal upset.  

New Year, New Challenges:  Sloane Stephens vs. Yaroslava Shvedova

The sport of tennis presents many challenges.  Among them is finding a way to break through and post a deep run at a major.  But arguably an even greater challenge is to back up such an impressive run.  That is the task that sits before Sloane Stephens.

Sloane Stephens has been one of the most promising competitors among the next young crop of players, particularly within the United States.  She is currently ranked No. 13, a ranking that she has achieved primarily on the back of her solid results at the majors.  She had put together some respectable runs at the majors before last season, but it was at the Australian Open last year where she firmly established her arrival.  The young American reached the semifinals under the hot sun of Melbourne, defeating Serena Williams among others en route to her first final four appearance at a major.  Now she is presented with the next big challenge in her career, which is to play with the pressure of defending such a noteworthy result.

At face value, it would seem that Shvedova, currently ranked No. 80, should provide little resistance to Stephens.  She was ousted in the final round of qualifying in Sydney, and she has yet to advance beyond the second round in singles play at the Australian Open.  But fans also know that Shvedova could prove dangerous if she is able to tap into her best form.  She has been a top-10 doubles player, partnering with Vania King to secure the women’s doubles titles at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010.  Many may also remember that Shvedova was one of two players who very nearly halted Serena Williams on her journey to win Wimbledon in 2012.  All of this said, whether or not Shvedova proves herself able to find her best form is questionable.

Of course, Stephens also comes into the 2014 Australian Open with her own question marks.  After earning a couple of solid wins in Hopman Cup play, the American was forced to withdraw from Sydney, citing pain in her left wrist.  Any injury or pain surrounding the wrist can be particularly tricky, and there may be some concern as to whether or not Stephens is completely healed.

In addition to coping with any lingering doubts concerning her wrist, Stephens will also have to contend with feeling out Shvedova.  The two have never played, so it will take time for each to become accustomed to the other’s style of play.  Adjusting to an unfamiliar opponent may heighten any opening-match jitters, which means this could be a sloppy match hampered by nerves.

For Stephens, this match is a chance to take one more step to prove she belongs at the top. For Shvedova, it is an opportunity to grab a big win and possibly get her own game back on track toward her previously career-high ranking of No. 25.  It may not always be pretty, you can be certain that they will pull out all of the stops to nab this victory.