Upset minded

Hantuchova confident she can knock off Venus in quarters

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Rewind a year and there's Daniela Hantuchova pushing Venus Williams back on the ropes.

Williams is being run ragged, chasing deep balls and drop shots as the Slovakian sticks to her game plan of mixing it up.

Then, slowly but not surprisingly, Venus' serve takes over and she recovers for a tense 3-6, 6-0, 6-4 win.

Fast forward to Tuesday and Hantuchova will have her chance for revenge.

Hantuchova, seeded 7th, reached a quarterfinal against Williams with a 7-5, 6-3 victory Sunday over Switzerland's Patty Schnyder, seeded seventh.

Last year Hantuchova was ranked No. 38 and she held points for a 5-4 lead in the final set before Williams made her powerful serve count.

"I was really, really close to beating her last year," recalled Hantuchova. "Maybe I needed more experience at the time and that's something I feel I have now. That's why I feel ready and very optimistic about this match."

Hantuchova thought the narrow loss was a platform to prove she belonged in the top 10. She steadily backed her belief, finishing the year at No. 8 and out-doing her Australian Open result at the next three Slams.

Along the way she collected her first WTA title at Indian Wells last March, beating Justine Henin-Hardenne and Martina Hingis en route.

She reached the fourth round of the French Open and the quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2002, was runner-up in Filderstadt, Germany, and reached four semifinals.

"I've got more experience now in big matches," she said Sunday. "I have improved technically and physically. There are still things I have to learn but I feel I'm going the right way and this time I'm ready for Venus."

Williams said Sunday she was determined to come to the net more this season.

Hantuchova is prepared.

"I'm trying to put more pressure on the opponents by coming in more," said Hantuchova. "I understand if she wants to do the same and I'll definitely be ready for that.

Williams was caught off guard by Hantuchova's tactics a year ago, but she thinks she knows what to expect this time.

"She'll be motivated to get a win against me," said Williams. "We've played a handful of matches and she hasn't been a victor yet.

"She's playing good tennis, she's played some good matches against players who have come out hot against her, and that's a good sign."

 

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