This is one of my favourite tournaments outside the GSs, mainly because my fave players seem to do well here. Myskina won it twice on the bounce in 2003 and 2004. Pierce won it twice, one of those times beating Seles in straight sets in 1998. Kournikova even made the final here in 2000 losing to Hingis. Unfortunately, last years finalist Petrova is missing but late entries by Serena and Sharapova should make this another great tournament :)

I quite like the Moscow field - ok it's not as strong as Stuttgart but lacking Justine (now that she's pulled out with a 'shoulder injury' :rolleyes: ), Jankovic & Ivanovic it's a bit more unpredictable.

Kuznetsova hasn't had great success here in the past but should make the semis at least with that draw.

Serena has a tricky draw with Krajicek, Vaidsiova & Kuzzy. Hopefully Nicole can do something here after all her setbacks this year.

Amelie has a nightmare draw - Zvonareva then Kirilenko or Radwanska and I doubt she'll make it to the QF's given her recent form. Chakvetadze hasn't impressed since the US Open but should be able to make it past Safina at least.

Sharapova hasn't been treated kindly by the draw either - Azarenka or Bammer then Dementieva or Schnyder! Elena should be able to do some real damage here.

No Hantuchova playing this week so Serena, Venus & Maria should consolidate their race position.

Jankovic should win Bangkok unless Venus is fully recovered.

A nightmare year, on the whole, for Amelie...probably should have taken a longer time to rest... anyway..we'll see..

Kutzy....I don't know... she like most of the girls likes to raise her game when playing Serena or Venus or Justine...and then goes on to play like some deer caught in the headlights on some lonely forest highway...
completely out of sorts against more manageable opponents...

I think the current eight will make it to Yec... Daniela not so sure...unless
she sits up... Sharapova needs the match practise right....so I think the tougher the draw for her the better..

Jelena ...well she said she doesn't know what to do to beat justine...understandable..Justine is IMO, the more skilled of the two...but that is where she fails...cause all those who beat Justine..simply believed that they could...much like roddick and Federer, once you let the psyche say I can't ...its game over.Justine is not perfect she does slide back a bit in games.. . Well hopefully she improves with time...

I agree should be an all round interesting tourney... Elena plays well at home... so could be a spoiler too...