Jelena Dokic

Dokic loses enthralling contest

21 June 2011

Jelena Dokic lost an enthralling three-set match against sixth seed Francesca Schiavone on Monday, the opening day of Wimbledon.

The crafty Italian clawed her way to a 6-4 1-6 6-3 first-round victory in just over two hours with the match completed under the centre court roof following afternoon showers.

Dokic put up a heck of a fight considering her restricted movement with her left thigh heavily strapped, using heavy ground strokes to move Schiavone around.

However last year’s French Open champion and this year’s Roland Garros runner-up captured the key moments in the match.

Dokic entered the encounter brimming with confidence after reaching the final of a lead-up tournament in the Netherlands on Saturday.

The Australian had also won her three previous matches against Schiavone and was well aware that grass is not the Italian’s strongest surface.

Dokic looked stronger than Schiavone early on but was unable to take her chances in the first set as the feisty European claimed it 6-4.

Dropping the set seemed to steel Dokic and she finally claimed a break point at her seventh attempt by rifling a backhand across the approaching Schiavone.

The Australian pummelled her opponent in the second set, only a rolled ankle momentarily slowing her progress in taking the second set.

Rain halted play with the scores locked at 1-1 in the deciding set with Dokic holding the momentum.

Following the closing of the roof and a 50-minute break, including their warm-up, a refreshed Schiavone was more positive and snatched a break.

Dokic broke back immediately but, at 4-3 down, the Australian double faulted to hand Schiavone the chance to serve for the match.

The Australian pressed, having three break points, but the Italian kept her head to finish off the job.

Schiavone faces either Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic or Canadian qualifier Aleksandra Wozniak in the second round.

Their match did not get underway due to the rain which forced 31 of the 64 scheduled matches to be carried over to Tuesday.

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Dokic to open on centre court

20 June 2011

Jelena Dokic will cap her latest career resurrection by making her first Wimbledon centre court appearance in nearly a decade against Italy’s Francesca Schiavone on Monday.

Dokic will carry Australia’s hopes on the opening day of the grand slam with bad weather predicted to cause delays at the south-west London venue.

After failing to progress through Wimbledon qualifying last year, the rejuvenated Dokic has the chance to enjoy playing on arguably the sport’s grandest stage at the tournament’s 125th anniversary.

And rain won’t be a problem for her with the roof on centre court in operation for the third year.

The 2000 Wimbledon semi-finalist’s clash with former French Open champion Schiavone is sandwiched in between the opening round matches of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray respectively.

The Australian has slashed her ranking from 135 at the beginning of the year to 45 following her title win in Kuala Lumpur and final last week in the Netherlands.

Dokic relished the prospect of playing in front on centre court and was full of confidence following her impressive lead-up form on grass.

“It’s a big court but I do like big courts,” she said.

“I’m looking forward to it.

“Generally this tournament brings back lots of memories for me.

“I’m still in tournament and match mode, I’ve played five matches in five days and only had one day off, it’s a good position to be in.”

Dokic has only made the Wimbledon main draw twice in the past seven years but fancied her chances against Schiavone, who tends not to be so strong on grass.

“At the beginning of the year, I first wanted to get to the top 100, then top 50, now I’m 45 and it’s only halfway through the year,” she said.

“Now it’s realistic to say I could be top 30 and that’s where I would like to finish the year.

“I think trying to be seeded at the Australian Open is realistic, and a nice goal to have.”

Marinko Matosevic is the other Australian in action on the opening day, he is due to make his Wimbledon debut against 25th-seeded Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela on court 16.

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