The draw for the 1st Grand Slam of the year at the Australian Open has been released and in the 1st round Maria will play Sandra Kloesel of Germany. Maria has never played the German before. If Maria wins that match she will play either Shuai Peng of China or a qualifier. The first seed Maria can meet is #28 seed Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain. It is very possible that Maria can face defending champion Serena Williams of the United States in the 4th round, a player whom Maria had several matchpoints against in the semis last year. Maria is seeded to meet #6 seed Nadia Petrova of Russia in the quarters and if she gets that far one of top seed Lindsay Davenport of the United States, 2004 champion Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium or Venus Williams of the United States. Kim Clijsters, Mary Pierce, Amelie Mauresmo and Patty Schnyder are the top 4 seeds in the bottom half of the draw.