Wimbledon women’s draw: Sisters kept apart

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 11:36

Venus and Serena Williams have landed in separate halves of the Wimbledon draw, with defending champion Venus in the same half as top seed Dinara Safina.

Check out the full draw at wimbledon.org by clicking here

The American sisters, who met in last years final, picked up fairly straightforward first round encounters Serena faces qualifier Neuza Silva, while Venus starts her campaign against world No.98 Stefanie Voegele.

However, the defending champions quarter could prove to be far from straightforward, if some of the world-class players in the draw produce a decent run at SW19 for once.

Both Ana Ivanovic or Jelena Dokic could line up against her in the fourth round, while Jelena Jankovic could meet Venus in the last eight should she hit some much-needed form.

Things dont get much easier for Safina, who has landed herself a tough quarter featuring French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova, Agnes Szavay, Caroline Wozniacki and Amelie Mauresmo. The world No.1 plays Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain in the first round.

Maria Sharapova, the No.24 seed, faces qualifier Viktoria Kutuzova on her return to the Championships after missing last year with a shoulder injury that continues to hamper her serve.

The draw was kind to the British girls, with the exception of Georgie Stoop who plays Vera Zvonareva in round one. British No.1 Anne Keothavong faces world No.81 Patricia Mayr, while Mel South faces Mathilde Johansson, and Katie OBrien plays Iveta Benesova.

2008 junior champion Laura Robson will play Daniela Hantuchova in her first senior Grand Slam outing in a match that is certain to catch many a spectators eye.

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