Jelena Dokic has embraced her horror Brisbane International first-round draw against Ana Ivanovic by labelling it the “perfect preparation” for the Australian summer.
Dokic will resume her Australian renaissance on Monday just as she finished it last year, as a popular underdog, when she meets the new “Aussie Ana” at Pat Rafter Arena.
After second seed Nadia Petrova drew Belgian wildcard Justine Henin, Dokic seemed to receive the second worst piece of luck when pitted against the former world No.1.
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But the 2009 Australian Open quarterfinalist and coach Borna Bikic see it as an ideal first-round encounter, much like her first-round loss to Amelie Mauresmo (6-7 6-7) at the same tournament last year.
“It’s good, it’s the perfect preparation for the year,” said Dokic, who is eying a ranking in the top 20 in 2010. “It’s a tough match but I’m in a good position.
“I’m not a favourite in that match she is. It’ll be interesting how I handle her game and the conditions.”
It will also be interesting to see the level of crowd support for both Serbian-born players with the glamourous Ivanovic spending the past month preparing on the Sunshine Coast with her boyfriend, golfer Adam Scott.
Certainly, neither player, having never met before in competition, rested over the Christmas period.
“I think I can go out there completely relaxed and just try to play well and try some things I’ve been working on in practice,” Dokic said.
“No pressure. I’m not putting any on myself and I don’t think there is any at all. She is supposed to win that match.”
Bikic felt Ivanovic’s quality game and profile also worked to Dokic’s advantage as she is renowned for producing against the world’s top players.
“Jelena prefers to play with the good players,” he said. “Somebody that can take the best out of her and Ana is that kind of player, definitely.
“It’s a good start.”
Another Australian looking on the bright side of a tough draw is Davis Cup regular Peter Luczak, now 77th in the world on the back of good results on South American clay, who meets men’s top seed Andy Roddick on Monday night.
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The big-serving Texan is coming back from a knee injury and hasn’t played on tour for three months.
“He’s the worst guy you can get in there – the No.1 seed,” Luczak said.
“But if ever there is a time to beat him it’s the first match of the year, especially when he’s had a few months out with a bit of an injury.”