Pam's Picks
	Shriver Former WTA Tour pro Pam Shriver is providing ESPN.com with in-depth analysis throughout the Australian Open. Shriver, a tennis analyst for ESPN, was ranked as high as No. 3 in singles play. She won 21 singles and 112 doubles crowns, including 22 Grand Slam titles.

MELBOURNE, Australia -- This has been the most unpredictable first week for the women in a major -- maybe ever -- with Jennifer Capriati going out, Serena Williams almost losing and Monica Seles losing (although she was injured). The top players are at attention -- on warning -- that every match could be a challenge. It makes it a lot more fun.

Marlene Weingartner's upset of Capriati on the first night became contagious. When the lower-ranked players walk out onto the court, they already feel defeated if all the top players are winning easily, so that first night was a really good sign they had a chance.

But now, everything's settled down after the wild first three days.

Serena Williams (1), United States, vs. Elena Danilidou (18), Greece
Serena starts this match as the heavy favorite. But Danilidou is the first really good player from Greece. She's a rising talent who is starting to get in better shape and starting to realize she has a game that can do a lot of damage.

She plays an athletic all-court game. Last year, we showed her taking a set from Jennifer Capriati at the Australian Open, but she wasn't fit enough to win. She's fitter now, so this can be a fun match. But obviously with Serena only making eight errors in her third-round match, Danilidou is not good enough yet to top that.
Pick: Serena

Elena Bovina (20), Russia, vs. Meghann Shaughnessy (25), United States
Both players are tall and fit. Bovina is another one of those players on the rise in the rankings this past year. She seems to win a lot of close matches. She won a long one on Saturday against Maggie Maleeva.

In a match against Shaughnessy, it's whoever comes out and holds their nerves together best. Shaughnessy is coming off a disappointing season last year when she had some back problems. But that's over now, and she's playing like she did two years ago. Shaughnessy's already taken a title this year by winning Canberra.

Give a slight edge to Bovina because she might have a couple of more weapons. But this one is as close as you can get.
Pick: Bovina

Kim Clijsters (4), Belgium, vs. Amanda Coetzer (19), South Africa
Contrasting styles: Coetzer the retriever and Clijsters the hunter.

Clijsters is playing as well as anybody in the draw. You would expect Clijsters to win comfortably, but Coetzer likes this Rebound Ace surface. Coetzer has been to the semifinals here twice. If Clijsters has a bad day, Coetzer could cause an upset. But overall, Clijsters is serving well and taking advantage of her big groundstrokes by coming to net more.
Pick: Clijsters

Chanda Rubin (10), United States, vs. Anastasia Myskina (8), Russia
I like this matchup. The seedings and rankings point toward a close match. Rubin's game can be a little more up and down; Myskina is more consistent.

It's more up to Rubin. If she can have a big day with her forehand, and play like she did against Serena last summer, she can win. Myskina is solid off her forehand and backhand and has put together some good wins in the last year against players like Martina Hingis.

Myskina has never been to a quarterfinal of a major. Rubin's had more experience in the later stages of majors.
Pick: Rubin