ID :
43847
Tue, 02/03/2009 - 12:37
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/43847
The shortlink copeid
Dokic warns of slump after Open run
Comeback queen Jelena Dokic is expecting a mini form slump after her epic run at
this year's Australian Open.
Dokic returns to tennis this week as she attempts to help Australia climb out of the
Asia/Oceania group at the Fed Cup tournament in Perth.
West Australian Casey Dellacqua, Sam Stosur and doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs
make up the rest of the Australian team, which is desperate to climb back into the
second-tier of the World Group after being relegated to the Asia/Oceania zone in
2007.
Dokic's world ranking rocketed from 187 to 91 after her giant-killing run at the
Open, where she defeated the likes of world No.28 Alisa Kleybanova, No.13 Caroline
Wozniacki and No.19 Anna Chakvetadze on the way to the quarter-finals.
But the tournament took its toll and she expected a downturn in form.
"I said after the Australian Open I could have a let down in the next two or three
months," Dokic said in Perth on Monday.
"If I lose some matches and lose some first rounds it wouldn't be a surprise.
"I had so much support in Melbourne and was just building pretty much on the crowd."
Australia will be joined by India, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, New Zealand
and Uzbekistan at the Asia/Oceania zone tournament, with Tuesday's draw to determine
the make up of each pool of four.
The winner of each pool will meet in Saturday's final, the victor to progress to the
World Group II playoff in April.
"We expect to win," Australia's Fed Cup coach David Taylor said.
"I think anything less than that we'll be very disappointed with.
"It's great to have the choice (of players at our disposal).
"It's three top 100 players and I think we are the only team here with that."
Dellacqua, whose world ranking slipped to 88 following her first-round exit from the
Open, said she had gotten over criticism from leading coach Roger Rasheed about her
weight.
"I've never met Roger before so I said what I needed to say about that," Dellacqua
said.
"It hasn't stopped me doing what I need to do . . . doing what I can to become a
better tennis player and a better athlete."
this year's Australian Open.
Dokic returns to tennis this week as she attempts to help Australia climb out of the
Asia/Oceania group at the Fed Cup tournament in Perth.
West Australian Casey Dellacqua, Sam Stosur and doubles specialist Rennae Stubbs
make up the rest of the Australian team, which is desperate to climb back into the
second-tier of the World Group after being relegated to the Asia/Oceania zone in
2007.
Dokic's world ranking rocketed from 187 to 91 after her giant-killing run at the
Open, where she defeated the likes of world No.28 Alisa Kleybanova, No.13 Caroline
Wozniacki and No.19 Anna Chakvetadze on the way to the quarter-finals.
But the tournament took its toll and she expected a downturn in form.
"I said after the Australian Open I could have a let down in the next two or three
months," Dokic said in Perth on Monday.
"If I lose some matches and lose some first rounds it wouldn't be a surprise.
"I had so much support in Melbourne and was just building pretty much on the crowd."
Australia will be joined by India, Indonesia, Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, New Zealand
and Uzbekistan at the Asia/Oceania zone tournament, with Tuesday's draw to determine
the make up of each pool of four.
The winner of each pool will meet in Saturday's final, the victor to progress to the
World Group II playoff in April.
"We expect to win," Australia's Fed Cup coach David Taylor said.
"I think anything less than that we'll be very disappointed with.
"It's great to have the choice (of players at our disposal).
"It's three top 100 players and I think we are the only team here with that."
Dellacqua, whose world ranking slipped to 88 following her first-round exit from the
Open, said she had gotten over criticism from leading coach Roger Rasheed about her
weight.
"I've never met Roger before so I said what I needed to say about that," Dellacqua
said.
"It hasn't stopped me doing what I need to do . . . doing what I can to become a
better tennis player and a better athlete."
