Vera Zvonareva's coach believes the lack of expectation placed on the Russian ahead of the Australian Open could play into her hands.
Coach believes lack of expectations on world number two works in her favour
Vera Zvonareva's coach believes the lack of expectation placed on the Russian ahead of the Australian Open could play into her hands over the next two weeks.
While the likes of Kim Clijsters and world number one Caroline Wozniacki have received much of the attention ahead of the first grand slam of the year, there has been little in the way of fanfare for Zvonareva.
This is despite the fact the 26-year-old currently stands only second to Wozniacki in the rankings and reached two grand slam finals in 2010.
Zvonareva has in the past been let down by her temperament on the big occasion but Patrick Mouratoglou believes her rate of improvement could spring a surprise.
"This year, the woman who can become number one is Zvonareva," said the Frenchman, whose coaching academy numbers Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer among its pupils.
"Because she has been improving every year for four or five years and because she is focused like nobody else."
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The Russian reached the semi-finals in Melbourne in 2009 and then made the final at both Wimbledon and the US Open to end the year at a career-high ranking.
Though the absence of Serena Williams has made the women's event more open than ever, Mouratoglou thinks the lack of expectation on Zvonareva could play into her hands.
"She is really special and she doesn't have too much pressure because nobody's focusing on her too much and she's doing her job," he said.
"She reached two grand slam finals last year, which is pretty good and she's not the one anyone expects but I think she can really do something.
"Of course, I think we have to make Clijsters favourite and Wozniacki is going to win grand slams but I am not sure she is ready yet. But there are a few who can win."
