Just seen the draw for this - probably the best Tier III of the year. We knew Clijsters would show up but Petrova, Schnyder, Vaidisova, Ivanovic were a little unexpected.

Nadia Petrova RUS [1] vs. Meghann Shaughnessy USA
Vera Dushevina RUS [WC] vs. Qualifier
Qualifier vs. Caroline Maes BEL [WC]
Lucie Safarova CZE vs. Katarina Srebotnik SLO

Nicole Vaidisova CZE vs. Kirsten Flipkens BEL [WC]
Eleni Daniilidou GRE vs. Elena Bovina RUS
Stéphanie Foretz FRA vs. Elena Vesnina RUS
Samantha Stosur AUS vs. Anna-Lena Grönefeld GER

Ana Ivanovic SCG vs. Michaëlla Krajicek NED
Qualifier vs. Martina Müller GER
Ai Sugiyama JPN vs. Vera Zvonareva RUS
Romina Oprandi ITA vs. Patty Schnyder SUI

Francesca Schiavone ITA vs. Nathalie Dechy FRA
Mara Santangelo ITA vs. Sandra Klösel GER
Karolina Sprem CRO vs. Maria Kirilenko RUS
Qualifier vs. Kim Clijsters BEL [2]


Clijsters has a decent draw - Sprem & Kirilenko are very beatable, Schiavone has never won a set of her then Schnyder or Ivanovic. Patty would probably have to beat Kim in the semi to have a chance of getting to Madrid.

Well Patty has withdrawn, and Nadia should too, makes no sense to play here :wacko:

let vera take the title :D

I think Makiri will probably withdraw too

As Dav said, Nadia should withdraw...

It's still a very good field; how often do you see first round match-ups like Zvonareva v Sugiyama and Ivanovic v Krajicek at a Tier III?

Good to see Bovina playing too. :)

I think Kim's third title of the year is on the way :clap:

she may be a little rusty though. but i do expect her to go deep in the draw.

Kim 51st title in belgium on the way :rolleyes: roflmao

No, I bet she'll lose to some crap player

:cry: will win it me thinks

I think if Kim can get past the first couple of rounds here she will win! :clap:

ivanovic could be the only real threat for kim in that whole half of the draw. schiavone is having injury issues, no??

Yeah and Schiavone is Kim's bunny :D

Ok, there's been a whole host of withdrawals and the draw has completely changed:

http://www.sport.be/gazdefrancestars/2006/...onround_id=2224

10 qualifiers! :blink: roflmao

The withdrawals:
- Petrova
- Schnyder
- Vaidisova
- Srebotnik
- Foretz
- Kirilenko

vera vera vera

why is it called Gaz de France stars?

I think Gaz de France is an energy company that sponsors the tournament...I'm not sure though :unsure:

you're right. it's a french owned energy company.

So many players have pulled out of the draw, they have had to do the draw again! :blink:
Kim is now top seed! :clap:

This is the new draw
http://www.sonyericssonwtatour.com/3/globa...sselt_draws.pdf

The WTA is a little dry this week :unsure: Im actually looking forward to Paris :o

Im looking forward to see Kim winning again :clap:

It's such a shame she could defend her slam crown :(

for shame.

it must be so frustrating to be injured like that all the time. it just kills the evolution and momentum of one's game & career.

First result is in

Karolina Sprem has defeated Lucie Safarova 6-4, 6-2

Not very exciting I know but it's good to see Karolina back winning matches. Safarova seems to be such a hot and cold player, beating top 20 players one minute then failing to win several first round matches in a row :wacko:

Vera won today too beating Dushevina in straight sets :D

c'mon v... :clap:

Vera :yahoo:

Vera is the first player through to the quarter finals defeating Flipkens in straight sets! :clap:

Are we in the quarters already? Time sure flies in Hasselt :rolleyes: roflmao

roflmao

I know, I just have no interest in this tournament whatsoever - apart from seeing that Kim will be fine for the YECs.

Hey :D

Has Kim played yet or is she on tomorrow?

Hey Dav :D

Kim's due to play at 7pm local time (6pm British time) today :ok:

:rolleyes:

Well it's only a Tier III but there are some reasonable players in the draw.

I think Kim plays today :D

I just can't get excited about it, especially with the YECs next week :shrug:

Well no it's not the most exciting tournament I admit but when if you like some of the players there, it's at least good to see them doing well e.g. for me, Vera, Ana and Kim :D

god i bet the belgians were wishing it was justine playing in this tourny rather than kim :rolleyes: roflmao

:tsk:

Isn't Kim more popular anyway? :shrug:

Of course she is but I think dlo4 is a tad biased :rolleyes:

her style of play isnt :rolleyes: roflmao

isnt that your opinion though?
Alot of people like Kim's style of play and she does get alot of balls back and can run down so many shots which is fun to see :shrug: