US Open - US Open Slice: Day Two
Eurosport - Thu, 03 Sep 04:06:00 2009
The Serena Williams juggernaut shows no sign of losing speed but all around her the leading powers of the women's game are making a hash of the opening round.
Day two of the US Open came close to resembling a women's bloodbath, with top seed Dinara Safina struggling desperately and former world number one Ana Ivanovic being bombed out.
Coming on the heels of Venus Williams's severe struggles on day one, the events of Tuesday further highlighted the growing depth in the women's game.
First it was Safina who nearly came unstuck against emerging Australian Olivia Rogowska - year of birth 1991 (now that's scary). Rogowska won the first set with some brilliant play before losing 6-4 in the decider, to add fuel to the critics who have questioned Safina's top ranking.
The Russian has never won a Grand Slam yet is rated ahead of Serena based on her results in smaller events, but precious few tennis observers see her as a favorite to lift this title.
Perhaps the inevitable criticism of this performance is unfair. Rogowska is just one of a brigade of fearless youngsters who refuse to be cowed against the best women in the world.
Gone are the days when it was only the men's game that possesses extreme strength in depth.
The defeat of Ivanovic, who lost to Kateryna Bondarenko in a result predicted by this blog, again showed that reputation no longer counts for anything on the women's side of the draw.
If only someone could put up a serious challenge to Serena, then we'd really have a tournament on our hands.
DROP SHOT
Boos and bad karma to the US Open line judge who berated a ballboy for his acrobatic leap over an advertising board that resulted in a hilarious and spectacular trip during Andy Murray's victory over Ernests Gulbis. More feats of misguided athleticism from the ball staff are more than welcome.
CLEAN WINNER
Danish beauty Caroline Wozniacki was watched by a testosterone-fueled, largely male crowd for her first-round clash on Louis Armstrong, but was not fazed by the attention and racked up a comfortable 6-4 6-0 victory over Galina Voskoboeva. Wozniacki is a genuine threat to go deep into the tournament and the male interest will only increase the further she progresses.
UPSET ALERT
It would hardly be an upset, but number 14 seed Marion Bartoli appears to be a sitting duck when she takes on Kim Clijsters. Clijsters's comeback is gathering steam and the Belgian should have too much game for Bartoli.
MATCH OF THE DAY
Veteran Nicolas Lapentti turned back the clock with a dramatic come-from-behind victory over 19th seed Stanislas Wawrinka, overturning a two-set deficit to prevail in a five-set clash laced with heavy hitting and dramatic rallies.
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Comment 10 - 29 of 29
It will be a repeat of the wimbledon Semis. Elena will meet Serena in the Finals.
hi i am new to this and have followed women tennis closely for a few years just think it a bit of a shock how they keep going on about dinara close exit yesterday i think it shows she is improving in her overall game a few month maybe even weeks ago there were time she would have just given up on the match. i think she will win a glam slam soon not sure it will be this one tho serena looks pretty handy and think dementieva is a key feature here as well and i do agree with ryan_mircic the tour never been so open and that what makes it even more exciting to watch for me
Serena is the best famale player and that a fact. I am a Serena fan I hope she wins because she and her sister have take the women game to a another level. Happy to see strong women, in sport.
well not surprised but would avhe thought the 3rd round. @#$%, F.h and though out the window in some ditch some place. Rather sad because she is talented great striker back early last year, yes she had wholes then but thought with mroe experience she would get better but now its just rather sad at the whole in the girls games that i see, just happy to be pretty and hit big, no brain, no thought, no tactic just bashing
ha ha ha one serbian clown is out next is...... ha
Anna justs needs some love, am sad for her cos she is the only one who knows what demons shes fighting, we love you girl, get some therapy ok and hopefully all will be well. good luck
Voskoboeva is a beauty too.
#18 Christoffer.... - and I was thinking "what stinks here so much?" oh, yeah, your month from kissing Federer's @#$% every second. Voila
I hardly think Wozniacki can be one of the favorites for the title because she hasn't done well in GS's so far so she has a long way to go.And her tennis is not aggressive enough which was clearly demonstrated by Dementieva who trashed her in Toronto and doesn't have enough big wins but is she continues to work hard she could be a GS Champion very soon.
Ana is just so emotional these days-before we could hardly see any emotions from her-and now there is a fist pump after virtually every point she wins and she is making noise while hitting the ball and bursting into tears after matches.Maybe she need some times off.
Re Mirjaniv2000: relax, it's just sport.
Bibian, what you say is quite true.
Its not Serena's fault that she is so dominant and the other players are not good enough to keep up with her. Some say she was arrogant when she said "I'm the real No. 1" a few months ago (can't remember at what tournament) But its TRUE- she IS the true No. 1 and while I'm more a fan of finesse tennis ala Roger, no one can dispute that Serena is by far and away the best female tennis player at the moment.
As far as depth goes, the women's tour has never been more open and competitive.
It's disgrace to put just that photo, normal people do not enjoy in someone's sadness and disappointment.
Hi there. Are you shocked by Ana losing to Kateryna Bondarenko? Do women tennis lack depth? Are you a part time follower of the circuit – that is; you only tune in during the grand slams? Do you think Serena’s draw is straight forward? Do you think Sam Stours or Flavia Pennetta will be a walkover for Serena? Do you think Serena did not mind Sybille Bammer to have been eliminated by the Spaniard? If any of your answer is YES to these questions, then you are the people who I call part-time observers. Save us the rubbish talk that women’s game has no depth. How comes no one makes comments like that when Fed express dismisses his opponents in similar manner? Give us a break, watch the game and enjoy. Gone are the days 6- 0. 6-2; This US open has given us some exciting first round women’s game. I love it, these girls hit the balls so hard!!!! - Bibian Mukasa
When the Williams sisters brought power to the game,this brought excitement and expectation.Any encounter with any of them was a showdown (whenever they were present).They are the ones everyone wants to beat.Yes,they've been beaten,but they are clearly the best in recent memory.
People at first were criticising them partly due to jealousy and also RAYcism(:D).
These same people are beginning to look back in retrospective and wanting women's tennis to look like the men's tour.
What a paradox from a white world!!!! :D
Roger will win.
i want to smell those sweaty panties mmmmmmmmmmmm
lmao totonsky
Does it mean that Simon Reed is gone?
Does it mean the Simon Reed is gone?
Danish Beauty Wozniaki??? err she looked like a dogs dinner in that Stella Mac abomination. Only someone as skinny as Kirilenko could get away with wearing all that fluff.. Woz just looks like she is one big fat meringue holding a tennis racquet.
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