Quick Hits: U.S. Open Day 6

• Qualifier Anna Lena Groenefeld reached the fourth round with a win over Alize Cornet.
• Amelie Mauresmo beat Ivanovic’s conquerer, Julie Coin, 6-4, 6-4.
• Dinara Safina was quite annoying in her three set victory over Timea Bacsinsky.
• Serena and Venus looked very impressive in their one sided victories.
• Rafa Nadal took down Victor Troicki in straights, including a third set bagel.
• Kei Nishikori took out fourth seed, David Ferrer, 7-5 in the 5th.
• Andy Murray came back from two sets down to beat Jurgen Melzer, 6-3 in the 5th.
• Juan Martin del Potro kept his winning streak alive with a five set win over Gilles Simon.
• Gael Monfils smashed David Nalbandian, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Dancing ensued (see above).

Matches to watch on Day 7:

[21] Caroline Wozniacki v. [2] Jelena Jankovic – I’m telling you, there’s something about Caroline.

[30] Marin Cilic v. [3] Novak Djokovic – There’s going to be some intense rallies in this match.

[28] Radek Stepanek v. [2] Roger Federer – Fed’s first real test should be interesting.

[5] Elena Dementieva v. Na Li – Both players are on hot streaks coming into this match.

Filed under: Quick Hits, U.S. Open, amelie mauresmo, andy murray, dinara safina, gael monfils, juan martin del potro, kei nishikori, rafael nadal, serena williams, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open, venus williams

Quick Hits: U.S. Open Day 4

• Ana Ivanovic suffered a shock defeat to Julie Coin, 3-6, 6-4, 3-6.
• Serena and Venus Williams destroyed their respective opponents.
• Amelie Mauresmo dished out a third set bagel to overcome Kaia Kanepi.
• Anna Lena Groenefeld hit a 128 mph serve in her win over Jessica Moore.
• Nicole Vaidisova went out to wildcard Severine Bremond.
• Juan Martin del Potro won his 21st consecutive match over Tomaz Bellucci.
• Andy Murray overcame a stern test from Michael Llodra, winning 7-6 in the 4th.
• Retirements sent Victor Troicki, Kei Nishikori and James Blake into the third round.

Matches to watch on Day 5:

Jie Zheng v. [2] Jelena Jankovic - An upset could be brewing.

[23] Lindsay Davenport v. [12] Marion Bartoli – Should be a hard-hitting poweful match-up.

[8] Andy Roddick v. Ernest Gulbis – Gulbis has the goods to take out Roddick under the lights.

[14] Victoria Azarenka v. [21] Caroline Wozniacki -Two rising stars, might as well get used to them now.

[15] Tommy Robredo v. Marat Safin – Marat is always one to watch.

Filed under: Quick Hits, U.S. Open, ana ivanovic, serena williams, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open, venus williams

Quick Hits: U.S. Open Day 3

• Jelena Jankovic was pushed to the limit (see above) by Sofia Arvidsson. JJ pulled it out 7-5 in the third.
• Lindsay Davenport cruised along to the third round by beating Alisa Kleybanova, 7-5, 6-3.
• Vera Zvonareva went out to Tatiana Perebiynis, 6-3, 6-3.
• Caroline Wozniacki smashed Maria Elena Camerin, 6-1, 6-2. I’m telling you, Caro is going to do some damage.
• Chinese Li Na and Zheng Jie advanced to the third round.
• Novak Djokovic hurt his ankle, but held on to beat Arnaud Clement in straights.
• Jo-Wilfried Tsonga shook off some 1st set rust and beat Ventura in 4. I’m so glad Jo is back, he is just so fun to watch.
• Ernest Gulbis sets up a potential second rounder with Andy Roddick with a straight sets win over Thomas Johansson.
• Nikolay Davydenko took out Dudi Sela, 3, 3 and 3.

Matches to watch on Day 4:

Michael Llodra v. [6] Andy Murray – Their contrasing styles should make for an interesting match-up.

[17] Juan Martin del Potro v. Tomaz Belluci – Del Potro is playing fantastic tennis, you need to check it out.

[4] Serena Williams v. Elena Vesnina – Serena under the lights never disappoints.

Kaia Kanepi v. [32] Amelie Mauresmo – When she’s in form, Amelie’s game is just beautiful and it seems like she’s regaining some confidence and game.

Filed under: Quick Hits, U.S. Open, jelena jankovic, novak djokovic, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open

Quick Hits: U.S. Open Day 2

• Ana Ivanovic had another first round scare, beating Vera Dushevina 6-4 in the third.
• Amelie Mauresmo beat Natalie Dechy, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Watch out for Amelie, she seems to be regaining some form.
• Serena and Venus breezed through their first round matches.
• Anna Lena Groenfeld took out Dani Hantuchova, 6-4, 6-2.
• 16 year old, Kristie Ahn, was very impressive in her 6-3, 6-4 loss to Dinara Safina.
• Tommy Haas beat Richard Gasquet, 6-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2. Richie needs to get his act together.
• Sam Querry wholloped Tomas Berdych, 3, 1 and 2.
• R. Fed had an easy win over Maximo Gonzalez.
• Marat Safin needed five sets and a meltdown to take out Vince “Spadea ain’t afraid of ya”.
• Jim Courier was still annoying and Tracy Austin still managed to worship the ground Maria Sharapova walks on even though she’s not even in the tournament.

Matches to watch on Day 3:

[3] Novak Djokovic v. Arnaud Clement – Clement should keep this entertaining.

[8] Andy Roddick v. Fabrice Santoro – The Magician could give Andy a bit of trouble.

Santiago Ventura v. [19] Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – Jo’s first match back should be interesting.

Maria Elena Camerin v. [21] Caroline Wozniacki – Caro is playing really solid and I have a feeling she might do something special this tournament.

Filed under: Quick Hits, U.S. Open, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open, venus williams

Quick Hits: Olympics Quarters + Semifinals

• Rafa continues his stellar year and defeats Novak Djerkovic in three sets, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. He’ll next face Fernando Gonzales for the gold medal.
• James Blake wastes three match points against Gonzales and loses a thriller, 11-9 in the third. After the match Blake accused Gonzales of unfair play.
• JJ loses to Dinara “WTA Tour Savior” Safina, 6-2, 5-7, 6-3.
• R. Fed redeems himself in doubles with Stan Wawrinka, upsetting the Bryan Bros. in three sets.
• Venus and Serena remain the last Americans still in contention for gold after smashing Elena Vesnina and Vera Zvonareva in dubs.

Filed under: Quick Hits, beijing, james blake, jelena jankovic, novak djokovic, Olympics, rafael nadal, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis, venus williams

Quick Hits: Olympic Third Round

• Serena wins a tight match over Alize Cornet, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, and breaks a racquet in the process
• Venus beat Viktoria Azarenka to set up a meeting with Chinese hopeful, Na Li.
• JJ somehow is winning matches beating Dominika Cibulkova, 7-5, 6-1.
• Elena “Rocket Serve” Dementieva beat Caro Wozniacki, 7-6 (3), 6-2.
• R. Fed avenges his Athens 2004 loss to Tomas Berdych, 6-3, 7-6.
• Rafa routines Igor Andreev, 6-4, 6-2.
• Djerkovic beat Mikhail Youzhny, 7-6, 6-3.
• James Blake defeated Gilles Simon to set up a date with Roger Federer in the quarterfinals.

Filed under: Olympics, Quick Hits, beijing 2008, james blake, jelena jankovic, novak djokovic, Olympics, rafael nadal, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis, venus williams

Quick Hits: Olympics Second Round

• Serena looked sharp as she utterly dismantled Samantha Stosur, 6-2, 6-0.
• Venus beat Iveta Benesova 6-1, 6-4 in singles and then teamed up with Serena and beat her again in doubles.
• The Chinese women, Na Li and Jie Zheng, advanced in front of their home crowd.
• Caro Wozniacki took Daniela Hantuchova to the cleaners, 6-1, 6-3.
• JJ did not withdraw after all and beat Alona Bondarenko 7-5, 6-1.
• R. Fed sets up a rematch with his Athens 2004 conquerer, Tomas Berdych.
• Rafa wiped the floor with Aussie, Lleyton Hewitt, 6-1, 6-2.
• Djerkovic beat Rainer Schuttler 6-4, 6-2.
• Fourth seed, Nikolay Davydenko, went out to P.H. Mathieu, 7-5, 6-3.

Filed under: Oldsters, Quick Hits, beijing 2008, Olympics, rafael nadal, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis, venus williams

Quick Hits: Olympics First Round

• China’s Na Li took out the third seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova, 7-6 (5), 6-4.
• Wimbledon semifinalist, Chinese Jie Zheng, upset 11 seed Agnes Szavay, 7-5 in the third.
• New world number 1, Jelena Jankovic, beats Cara Black on one leg, 6-3, 6-3.
• Both of the Sisters advanced comfortably.
• R. Fed and Rafa won both their singles and doubles matches.
• Yen-Hsun Lu upset Andy Murray, 7-6, 6-4.
• Serbians, Novak Djerkovic and Janko Tipseravic, both advanced.

Filed under: Olympics, Quick Hits, beijing 2008, na li, novak djokovic, Olympics, rafael nadal, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis, venus williams