ESPN Tennis

Venus Williams takes on a 17-year-old Russian girl, Vera Douchevina, in the second round of the Australian Open today. Although Williams should easily handle Douchevina, who is playing in her second major tournament, sometimes inexperienced players are difficult. It's hard to create a game plan against someone you've never seen or find a rhythm and pace against rookies.

Douchevina's biggest win came last year in Moscow against No. 25 seed Lisa Raymond, who is Williams' potential third-round matchup if she gets past unseeded Anca Barna.

	Hewitt

There are only two American men in the bottom half of the draw -- both qualifiers. Jeff Morrison is having his best Australian Open by reaching the second round. Unfortunately, he faces No. 2 Roger Federer today.

No. 264-ranked Glenn Weiner is 27 and originally from South Africa. He's never won a singles title. He plays Andrei Pavel of Romania, who, although he has never done well at the hard-court majors, won a Tennis Masters Series title in Toronto in 2000 and was the runner-up in Paris last fall.

	Myskina