German Open first round features some interesting matches

Talented young clay star Alize Cornet is playing in Berlin next week

Waiting for her in the opening round is tough clay veteran Francesca Schiavone

We don't know who the qualifiers are yet, so there could be even more interesting matches, but check out what we know so far:

Schiavone v. Cornet: No one, no matter how talented she is, wants to meet Francesca Schiavone in the first round (or any round) of a red clay tournament. The very talented Cornet could have problems dealing with the Italian's lobs, spins and beautiful one-handed backhand.

Cibulkova v. A. Bondarenko: Dominika Cibulkova appears to be a clay specialist, at least at this point in her career, but Alona Bondarenko is pretty good on the surface, too. This could be quite a contest.

Vaidisova v. Dulko: Vaidisova is trying to get her career back on track, and clay expert Dulko's game has improved a lot of late. If Dulko can keep her newly improved serve working reasonably well throughout the match--something she failed to do against Serena Williams in Charleston--she can move to the second round.

Wozniacki v. Golovin: Golovin is trying to come back from an injury and surgery layoff, and Wozniacki has had a problem with her left ankle for the last few weeks. Neither will be in especially good form.

K. Bondarenko v. Paszek: Kateryna Bondarenko can use her doubles skills to throw the relentless baseliner off her rhythm. This could be interesting if Bondarenko is willing to play agressively.

Petrova v. Srebotnik: Petrova is one of the very best clay players on the tour, but her career has been on a downward spiral for some time. Srebotnik, also good on clay, is playing quite well these days.

Razzano v. Safarova: Virginie Razzano defines the term "late bloomer." Red clay is not her best surface, but Lucie Safarova is not doing well on any surface these days.

Peer v. Lisicki: Shahar Peer is not having much of a season, so far. On paper, she should be able to take care of the big-hitting but tactically deficient Sabine Lisicki, but considering how she's been playing lately, she may have to really work this one.

Bammer v. Krajicek: Neither is having that good a season; Michaella Krajicek, in fact, is having a dreadful season. She and Sybille Bammer have played each other on clay twice, and have split the victories.