Tuesday's Preview

By Chris Davies
May 24 2004

Martina Navratilova returns to play her first Grand Slam singles tournament in 10 years against teenage rising star Gisele Dulko of Argentina

Gisela Dulko (ARG) v Martina Navratilova (USA)

This will probably be the match of the day no matter what the result as Navratilova returns to Grand Slam action. Navratilova who is now 47 years old plays the 19 year old Argentian Gisele Dulko in the first round. On paper, considering the American's 18 Grand Slam titles and 167 career titles compared to Dulko's O in both the elder would win. It will be a strange day for the teenager as she may be playing her hero and the person she looked up to at an early age whilst playing tennis. Nerves will definetly come into play on both sides but should be a fantastic entertaining match. There's no doubt that Martina wants to win this match has her determination has not decreased one bit and she has proven that she can stay with the top ranked players. Gisela Dulko is a talented young girl with lots of athlecticism and a good clay game. Realistically though I think that Navratilova will clinch the victory and establish herself early in the game to faze Dulko and win in straight sets!

Also Playing are Mary Pierce versus Claudine Schaul of Luxembourg. Schaul who won her first title in impressive and surprising fashion at Strasbourg defeating Lindsay Davenport 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 looks to carry on her good roll. Mary Pierce will be standing in her way and may put an end to her dreams of consolidating on her performance last week. The Frenchwoman has not had a fantastic year will give everything during this first round clash and might just pay off. This could go the distance and will be a test of Pierce's physical state and also Schaul's mental state. Pierce in 3 sets!

Serena Williams is returning to Grand Slam action against Iveta Benesova and should easily cruise into the next round. Whereas Venus Williams may struggle if her ankle is still injured especially against Tamarine Tanasugarn.