Marion plays the Tier 1 event at Indian Wells this week.
Even though it's been underway since the weekend, the tournament proper begins as we move towards this weekend. Top ranking players including Marion having 1st round bye's.
On the face of it the draw has been quite kind to Marion. A 2nd round tie with Elena Vesnina probable.
Marion's section of the draw includes Sybille Bammer and Olga Govortsova. Both players that Marion has beaten on last meeting. However with Marion especially, we must take one match at a time.
With Justine Henin and both Williams sisters absent, the tournament itself is a little bit thin on some of the top names that would normally be expected to enter the event... Maybe this is due to the upgrading this year of the Qatar Open to Tier 1 status in place of San Diego.
Neverthless, Indian Wells remains one of the most prestigious events on the tour outside of the Slams.
Marion not having a bye last year, reached the 4th round. Therefore having a 4th round finish to defend this year, in terms of ranking points.
Posted this in the wrong post
*sigh*
I think Marion not so much misses playing the qualies, but may well need them. She remarked on that before. She got the touch and feel of the court in qualies, but now its in at the deep end.
Still, I think marion can make the QF's if she is positively positive An no negative waves Marion!
Allez and all that French Jazz