By TERRY MADDAFORD
Laura Granville is happy the Williams sisters have by-passed the season-opening WTA tournament in Auckland.
"Without them, there is the chance for other players to do well," quipped 21-year-old Granville, who arrived yesterday morning to prepare for next week's ASB Classic.
"But, having said that, playing them is a
challenge. They have raised the bar and set the standard. Players are now aware they have to be fitter and better prepared to compete with them.
"When I played Venus Williams [in the quarter-finals at New Haven, Connecticut in August], it was a bit overwhelming. I could not help think it was her across the net."
In taking her ranking to a career-high 46 this year - she will step on to the court on Monday or Tuesday ranked 47 - Granville is the 13th-highest rated player in the tournament.
Her new-found status among the world's top 50 guarantees her starts in most big tournaments and the chance to play the Williams sisters and other big names.
The more she gets to face players such as Jennifer Capriati - someone Granville looks up to - and others in the top 10, the stronger she feels her game will become.
"A big part in that is shutting out the 'me and them' thing when you look at who is standing on the other side of the net," said Granville.
She starting the year ranked 227 and was injured in the early weeks of the season. But then she picked up the pace, reaching her best form at Wimbledon in June where she reached the fourth round.
After three tough matches to get through qualifying - two went to three sets - Granville beat the 31st seed, Australian Nicole Pratt 7-5, 7-5, German Marlene Weingartner 6-3, 6-4 and French star Mary Pierce by the same score.
Ninth seed Amelie Mauresmo ended her giantkilling run.
"She played incredibly at Wimbledon. She killed me," said Granville, who also lost to the top-ranked Frenchwoman in the Canadian Open in August where Mauresmo ended a 10-match (11-day) winning streak Granville had enjoyed.
"I don't mind playing these hard-hitting players. What makes it difficult is the pace they back those big shots with. It has made me very aware of the role fitness plays.
"There are no easy points at this level."
In preparation for her first stop on the new season's tour, Granville has stepped up her fitness work, adding running to her regime.
"I wasn't a great fan of running but I'm now starting to enjoy it and can see the benefits it brings."
Born and bred in Chicago - the city she still calls home - Granville had the chance to join the tour as an 18-year-old but turned her back on that opportunity, opting instead for two years at Stanford University.
"I felt I was not mature enough to go on the tour at that stage."
Granville went on to make a name for herself as a better-than-useful performer, winning the USTA national 18s title - and her first of four trips to the US Open.
She played "a bunch of sports" before persisting with tennis, and now feels she is well prepared to continue her rise.
"I would hate to put a number on it, but if I can get into the top 30 I'd be really happy."
Auckland has been kind to players of Granville's ilk.
In the past two seasons unseeded players - Meilen Tu and Anna Pistolesi (nee Smashnova) - have gone all the way.
Granville would love to add her name to that list.
By TERRY MADDAFORD
Laura Granville is happy the Williams sisters have by-passed the season-opening WTA tournament in Auckland.
"Without them, there is the chance for other players to do well," quipped 21-year-old Granville, who arrived yesterday morning to prepare for next week's ASB Classic.
"But, having said that, playing them is a
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