Well, Safarova survived a three-hour thrill ride which culminated in two tiebreakers, fending off three match points in the process and winning it 6-3, 6-7(2), 7-6(4).

I only followed the third set, in which Radwanska seemed certain to stage the upset at 0-40, 5-4. Then she collapsed, not only failing to convert any of these but being promptly broken herself in her next service game. Serving for the match at 6-5, then it was Safarova's turn to falter, being broken to love. But she held Radwanska to four points in the tiebreaker and is the second seed to head into the third round (after Bondarenko). She now awaits the winner of the Peer/Sun match.

If the tough encounter has made her match-ready after her brief layoff since Paris, Peer (as her presumed opponent) might have a fight on her hands.

Looks like a good match!! :D

I think that Radwanska really is one to watch for the future (well, both Radwanskas are pretty useful with the racquet!)

I noticed that another youngster Caroline Wozniacki (sp?) is in the draw too.. another one to watch. I think that she's Danish so good to see a promising Scandinavian player coming through..

I mean.. there is a great tradition of Swedish men's players.. but not many women at all, from any of the scandinavian countries. Why is that? :shrug:

Come to think of it, there aren't many Polish players either.. so hopefully both Agnieszka and Urszula can go on to fulfill their potential too :)

Hi Petalp! Wozniacki is our white hope - she's only 16 and won Wimbledon asa junior last year. DK has never done very well in tennis: Kenneth Carlsen gets to the second round of a number of tourneys but no9t much further, ditto Pless (who has just been knocked out, I see :( =.

I don't think Norway has ever had any prominent tennis players, whereas Sweden has had SO many - and such elegant ones , too, remember Edberg? *Does a quiet swoon and hastily recovers herself.* Finland, of course, has Nieminen at the moment, but otherwise I don't think they have distinguished themselves either. So in Scandinavia, it is just the Swedes who have made a name for themselves - and how!

Have just reread your post, petalp - youwere commenting on the dearth of FEMALE Scandinavian players - you are absolutely right. Hadn't thought of it before, but that is, perhaps, because I follow the ATP rather than the WTA. Equally though, there are aren't any female British players at the moment, either - or are there?

Hi Scolios!! :D

Yes, I watched the junior wimbledon final last year and was impressed.. I think that she should do well!

It's bizarre that the Swedish men have by far and away the most success... so much more than women in their country, and anyone from any of the other countries..

And such players too.. Edberg :bow: Borg :bow:

Of course Wilander did well as well.. And more recently, Bjorkman, Thomoas Johannsen, Pim Pim, .. and others, Magnus Norma, Thomas Enqvist, Anders Jarryd..

But not many women.. bizarre.. :shrug:

Ah well, they do say that behind every successful man is a woman :D

or, as I read recently, behind every successful man is an astonished woman, which I llke much better :whistle:

roflmao

Yes, I like that too!!

And given that yesterday was international women's day I think that this statement has even more resonance! :)

Italians Pennetta and Vinci are the first (barely-)seeded upsets, each falling in three sets to Dechy and Austrian qualifier Meusburger respectively despite turning in relatively good results of late. It is the first win for the Frenchwoman against Pennetta in four meetings, her dubious prize being (presumably) a match-up against defending champion Sharapova in the next round.

Fellow seeds Hantuchova and Kirilenko each survived characteristic three-set tests to advance, whereas No 7 seed Jankovic (a legitimate contender for the title given recent form) saw off American Perry 1 and 3.

Monfils had 2 mp's against Benneteau.. but Benneteau wins.. 3-6, 6-3, 7-5...

And Guga is a set and a break down against Del Potro..

Some decent matchups already in the tournament. :ok:

Peer vs Safarova should be an awesome encounter :D I love to watch these girls play.

I would obviously favour Peer, the better mover and more consistent from the back of the court. However, Safarova does have absolutely huge blows, especially that forehand which has such pin point accuracy. Its almost Seles-esque at times, the depth and timing it produces. If Safarova is 'on', she could well take this, but i feel the safer option is Peer.