Today's draw was always going to issue a tough flightpath to the Tokyo final for all players involved, and so it has proven.
Marion will play Maria Kirilenko in the opening round.
If Marion comes through this tie, she will likely play Agnieszka Radwanska in the round of 16, and beyind that.. either Ivanovic or Petrova in the last eight.
Kirilenko has had a season of mixed fortunes, taking two tier IV clay titles, and forming a quite successful doubles partnership with Flavia Pennetta. She is 27-17 for the year, not bad at face value, but many of those wins are from tier III and TIER IV level tournaments.. A level which Marion rarely plays anymore.
The face of Stella McCartney sportswear has had fairly indifferent Grand Slam performances this year. An opening round exit to Tamira Paszek at the US Open her most recent effort. After scraping the top 20 in the spring, Kirilenko has since fallen to 27 in the rankings.
The formbook makes happy reading, Marion leading the head to head against Kirilenko, 3-1. The only loss occuring at Los Angeles in 2007.
However, with Marion's tournament progress cruelly and frequently halted by health issues letely, nothing can be taken for granted. As the cliche goes, the only result that matters is the one on the day.
Main draw matches take place from Tuesday.
C'mon Marion, send the runway modal packing. Exit gate 1 blondie 
EDITED 21:00
I recall the last time youm made remarks like that was when Marion met Caro or the 1st time. "Give her some Danish pastery" or words to that effect. Remember how it turned out?
We'll see.