By Chris Davies
March 22 2005

The Nasdaq 100 Open claims to be the 5th Grand Slam by the WTA tour and with a field of players like this there is no doubt why it has been dubbed that title All the Grand Slam reigning champions are here, Serena Williams (Australian Open), Maria Sharapova (Wimbledon), Svetlana Kuznetsova (US Open) and Anastasia Myskina (French Open) also with Kim Clijsters and there return of Justine Henin-Hardenne it should be a fascinating fortnight.

Also to add to those names are number one seed Amelie Mauresmo, Alicia Molik, Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva and Vera Zvonareva.

So the draw is extremely interesting and one that does not disappoint the fans around the world with Mauresmo facing the winner of two more young up and coming Russians in Anna Chakvetadze and Maria Kirilenko which could be a tough battle for the French woman. Also in her quarter are Nadia Petrova, Svetlana Kuznetsova in a possible quarter-final clash and the resurgent Daniela Hantuchova.

The Pacific Life Open champion Kim Clijsters features in the same half opening against a qualifier, with Anastasia Myskina, Elena Dementieva, Elena Bovina and Tatiana Golovin. Clijsters who boomed up from 133 in the rankings to 38 this week could have another superb run and is in contention again for another title but her fitness will be tested to the maximum.

In previous tournaments where Venus and Serena have both played most of the draws have parted them but not this tournament with them eyeing up for a quarter-final clash. Venus will possibly have to come through clashes with Zuluaga and Patty Schnyder first with Anna Lena Groenefeld or a qualifier in the second round. Serena will either face Emilie Loit or Vera Douchevina in the second round with Likhovtseva, Sugiyama and Bartoli being the other seeded players in her half.

Then there is Alicia Molik one of this years inform players and one that is looking for another big title under her belt who could face Justine Henin-Hardenne who returns to action. The Belgian 19th seed faces a tough opener against Samantha Stosur or Abigail Spears then possibly Vera Zvonareva. Maria Sharapova the second seed is at the bottom of the draw along with Dinara Safina, Shinobu Asagoe and Francesca Schiavone.

This will be an interesting look at players comebacks and strengths with Sharapova being totally thrashed 6-0, 6-0 by Davenport last week will have had a big dent in her confidence. Justine Henin-Hardenne faces a fitness test and will obviously lack match practice and at such a big tournament to make a comeback only one week away from the clay court season questions why she has made a comeback at this tournament. Also for Venus and Serena if they were to clash would Venus get crushed by inform Serena or would she feel sorry for her older sister?

We will just have to wait and see with hopefully one of the best tournaments of the year and finally a classic match to celebrate the WTA tour.