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| Petkovic is the first German top 10 since Anke Huber in Oct. 2000 |
Petkovic is best known for her on-court shenanigans and sparky personality, but she's beginning to prove that she's more than just a funny dancer. The 23-year-old baseliner has had a productive year, jumping from a ranking of 30 to 10 with a championship in Strasbourg and a handful of other deep runs. Perhaps her best activity came in the very beginning of the season, when she snagged the runner-up spot in Brisbane after falling to the soon-to-be Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova, and obliterated Maria Sharapova 6-2 6-3 in the 4th round of the Australian Open.
Petkovic surely has threatening potential, but her consistency and go-for-broke attitude can leave fans scratching their heads in confusion. Those who watch her matches are definitely familiar with her streaky forehand—a shot that she smashes 10 feet off the court almost as often as she keeps it in play. Perhaps it's those dips in focus that explain why she will flub a set 0-6 after winning the first (like she did against eventual champion Aggie Radwanska in the Mercury Insurance Open semifinal).
Still, Petkovic has quickly earned a spot in the top 10, and has a posse of equally-as-talented Germans to back her up. Sabine Lisicki, now ranked 21 after needing a wild card entry for Wimbledon, has proven she is due for more than her semifinal at the All-England club as she made the semi of Stanford (losing to an in-form Serena Williams) and the quarters in Carlsbad (losing in 3 sets to runner-up, Zvonareva). She will likely be a contender at the US Open, regardless of her draw. Then there's Julia Goerges, the third German worth noting with a current ranking of 20. In the spring, Goerges earned fame by defeating world no. 1 Wozniacki twice in a matter of weeks. Since then she has struggled (three first round losses in a row, to be exact) but if she can find her feet on the hardcourt, she could play with the same impressive aggression we saw earlier this year.
This new 'German Trifecta' could very well do damage during the US Open series, but what will they be capable of in New York? Rankings aside, Lisicki might be the most dangerous combatant, delivering booming serves and more consistent ground strokes than her countrywomen. She'll be taking a break from this week's Premiere5 event in Toronto, but we'll have plenty to look forward to from Petkovic and Goerges. Andrea will take on a wildcard in her first round while Goerges matches up with Jankovic tonight.
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