Hantuchova to fulfil Kiwi dream

看板Hantuchova作者a881028 (a881028)時間19年前 (2005/11/09 21:27)推噓0(0推 0噓 0→)

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Nov 9, 2005 By Alan Granville A childhood dream to come to New Zealand will mean a touch of Slovakian glamour will grace Auckland in January with the announcement of Daniela Hantuchova's entry into the ASB Classic. The 1.81m-tall 22-year-old bears an uncanny resemblance to paparazzi favourite Maria Sharapova. Once ranked five in the world, she has slipped back a little to 19 but is hoping to use the New Zealand tournament as a springboard to success in 2006. Hantuchova, like another recently announced visitor to Auckland Nadia Petrova, is one of the most consistent players on the circuit in 2005, with quarterfinal appearances or better in 10 tournaments, as well making the third round in all of the Grand Slams. She said she cannot wait for her first ever visit to New Zealand. "I have just heard so many beautiful things about the country. It is a place I have never been to and it is a place I would like to explore. I think it's a great way to start my year there and it's great preparation for the Australian Open," said Hantuchova. "I will be in Auckland for a couple of days before the start of the tournament so that I am ready for my first match. Obviously it is a bit harder coming from Europe to get used to the weather and the time." She is sure to have spoken about Auckland and New Zealand with fellow Slovakian and regular Heineken Open visitor Dominik Hrbaty. The pair linked up this year to win the Hopman Cup in Perth. "I have had so many people talking to me, even in the past when I was little, about New Zealand being one of the most beautiful countries in the world and if I was ever going to get the chance to come, that I should visit. I am really, really excited to come down and visit the country." While her singles record is steady, with just one tournament win in 2002 in Indian Wells, it is her doubles record which stands out. She has won all four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles with four different partners - the 2005 US Open with Mahesh Bhupathi, the 2002 Roland Garros and Australian Open championships with Fabrice Santoro and Kevin Ullyett respectively and a year earlier Wimbledon with Leos Friedl. But she is planning to cut down her doubles play to concentrate on breaking back into the world's top 10. "Sometimes it does interfere when you have to hang around for doubles and wait until late into the night to play and then come back the next day to play singles. "It can be a pain but at the same time it is good match practice. I want to make sure I get the right balance." One of her main rivals for the ASB Classic title is world number 10 Petrova. They have played each other three times, with the Russian leading 2-1. "Nadia is very smart on the court and she knows how to use her weapons. She's got a great serve. She's a big girl so she's got a big game. It will be a great test for me if I get to play against her." Also confirmed to play in January are returning champion Katarina Srebotnik and twice semifinalist Marion Bartoli. The tournament begins on January 2. 文章有一個地方有錯... 請大家看看囉^^ 韓娃明年應該是不打混雙了但女雙勒? 不會也不打了吧? -- ※ 發信站: 批踢踢實業坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 211.74.241.63