Big first round action coming up in Eastbourne

Qualifiers still have to be determined and placed, but even without them, the Eastbourne draw presents some potentially dramatic first rounds:

Alize Cornet vs. Virginie Razzano: If I were Todd Spiker, I might say "What happens when you drop a couple of pastries onto the grass?" What indeed. Neither is known for grass play, and these days, Cornet isn't known for much of any kind of play. Still, it could be an interesting match.

Gisela Dulko vs. Marion Bartoli: Despite Dulko's considerable skills, she is not a grass court player. Bartoli is, but Dulko--if her serve is on--could still make it interesting.

Caroline Wozniacki vs. Alisa Kleybanova: She's a clay court star, but how will Wozniacki do against big hitter Kleybanova?

Samantha Stosur vs. Sabine Lisicki: This one has the most potential for drama. Or at least it would if Lisicki were match-tough. An injury, followed by an illness, kept her out of the clay court season, except for the French Open, and she was simply not prepared to compete there. Her big serving and deft net play should work well on grass, and--if she's up to it--she can make this a real contest.

Amelie Maursmo vs. Vera Zvonareva: This match will mark Zvonareva's return to the tour following an accident she sustained in Charleston. She'll be rusty, but she could still give the 2006 Wimbledon champion some trouble.

Nadia Petrova vs. Ana Ivanovic: Petrova was last year's finalist; she lost--in a very entertaining match--to Agnieszka Radwanska. Though the Russian is a clay expert, she has a big serve and a lot of doubles skills, and can do well on a grass court.