It looks like Jelena has finally found her form in singles, much to fans enjoyment. Yesterday she had a very important victory over Slovenian Maja Matevzic, a victory on clay court that for sure can make some difference in her game and clay court season.

Today, Jelena and her new doubles partner Daniela Hantuchova will have to go out there and play against a very interesting doubles team Harkleroad/ Washington. Both players are coming from the United States of America, and this is their first time playing together.

Ashley Harkleroad, one of up- and- coming tennis players, one of those young players that will become one of the leading tennis players in near future has a very short tennis life, so that is for sure one of the reasons she didn't have much success in doubles. With career-high doubles (as of Dec. 29, 2002): No. 134 (Oct. 21-Nov. 3, 2002; Nov. 11-24, 2002; Dec. 9, 2002-Jan. 5, 2003) and with being semifinalist only twice, 2003 - Auckland (w/Salerni); 2002 - Bratislava (w/Salerni), and on the other side

Mashona Lakuta Washington, a bit older player with career-high doubles (as of Nov. 17, 2002): No. 95 (March 15-28, 1999), but with even worse doubles history- quarterfinalist (4): 2003 - Memphis (w/Pelletier); 2000 - Stanford (w/Jidkova); 1999 - Oklahoma City (w/Rubin); 1998 - Hilton Head (w/McNeil),

This team looks like a piece of cake for Dokic/ Hantuchova combination.

What can we expect to see today? Can clay be an important factor today? Can Jelena perform a good doubles match with her new doubles partner for this tournament? And can Harkleroad and Washington cause an upset? And when I say upset, I mean not a victory, but anything that is losing with winning more then 5 games in a match. Why so little respect you would say? No, it has nothing to do with respect. It has more to do with being real, and of course I take no credits from Harkleroad and Washington. At least, as long as Jelena and Daniela don't win the last point, these two have their chances.

They play a very sold and strong tennis. Especially Ashley who is playing very strong and with some unbelievably hard hitting. She is faster than her doubles partner, I would say even more smarter on the court, so expect from her to cover lots of balls. Also, it's important how Harkleroad and Washington will play as a team, how will they read each- others game on the court.

Mashona plays like a Washington, she fights, has a good serve, hits a hard flat ball and moves well. On the other hand, Dokic and Hantuchova are fully aware of players that have athletic ability. They will do everything that they can to make them run allot today and make them fight for every ball, and for sure make them guess twice before they play their shots.

My Pick- Jelena Dokic and Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets ( 6-3, 6-2), because they have more firepower and experience.

Here is the schedule:

Club Court - 10.00am
1. Garbin vs Martinez
2. to finish 1 set all Myskina vs Pierce
3. Craybas vs Panova or Hantuchova
4. Myskina or Pierce vs Coetzer
5. Dokic/Hantuchova vs Harkleroad/Washington

And you, please feel free to enter our chat room during the match.