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

Sam-o-saurus!

I think Sam Querrey looks like a dinosaur. Just the way his left hand goes when he hits that whippy forehand resembles a T-Rex.  Samosaurus has had the U.S. Open of his life with a straight sets win over Ivo Karlovic earlier today. Next up for Samosaurus is Rafa Nadal, who beat Victor Troicki pretty handily in his third round match.

Filed under: Querrey, U.S. Open, ivo karlovic, sam querrey, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open

Stop the Presses! Ashley Harkleroad is Pregnant!

Everyone’s favorite tennis player gone Playboy is knocked up. John McEnroe reported this groundbreaking story during coverage of the U.S. Open earlier today. I’m guessing this is why she didn’t play the Open. The father is (thankfully) her fiancee/coach, Chuck Adams. Congratulations, Ash, I guess.

Filed under: Harkleroad, ashley harkleroad, pregnancy, sports, Tennis

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire!

Q. Some players seem to like a little drama in their matches. Are you one of those?

JELENA JANKOVIC: Not really. I wish I didn’t have any drama in my matches. I wish I would win nice and in a simple way, you know, nothing there, just cruise through the match and that’s it.

But sometimes, you know, it’s more exciting for the fans and a little more stressful for the people in my box. But as long as you win, that’s what matters.

Q. But in a way you like it a little bit?

JELENA JANKOVIC: I don’t know. Who likes drama? Do you know anybody that likes to get involved into tight matches where you’re maybe going to go into a third set or whatever?

I don’t think anybody likes to be in this kind of situations. Everybody likes to win 2 and 2, easy, no pressure.

Q. Subconsciously some people might like that.

JELENA JANKOVIC: That’s just part of the sport, you know, dealing with pressure and being in tight situations is what this sport is all about. You have to try to do your best when this happens, and then you form this drama or whatever you call it.

Oh, please, Jelena, you love the drama.

Filed under: Jankovic, jelena jankovic, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open

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

Stunner: Ivanovic Goes Down

This may be one of the biggest in tennis history and is certainly one of the biggest in U.S. Open history. 1967 was the last time the number one ranked woman lost in the second round of the Open. 188th ranked Julie Coin of France defeated top seed and world number one, Ana Ivanovic, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, today in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Women’s tennis is in pretty sad shape right now. A world number one really shouldn’t have a loss like this. Ana really needs to get her act together. Some time off might be in AI’s future.

Filed under: Ivanovic, U.S. Open, ana ivanovic, julie coin, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open

A Day in the Life of Serena’s Hitting Partner

This is what daily life is like for Aleksander Bajin, Serena Williams’ servant hitting partner:

• Arrive early at the courts, usually by bus.
• Warm up with Williams for 30 to 45 minutes.
• Make sure she has help stretching, from him or her physiotherapist.
• Make sure her rackets are strung correctly and her grips are just so.

Also, he “books the practice courts, make sure she has the food she wants and just try to keep her happy.”

Serena’s reason for keeping him around? “He’s a Libra and I’m a Libra,” she said.

Filed under: Serena, serena williams, sports, Tennis

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

In Quotes: Marat on Tennis

Oh, Marat, your interviews are just divine. Here’s what he had to say about what he wants to take from his tennis:

“Oh, first of all, I’m 28. I’ve been already on tour for 10 years, and I want to enjoy my tennis. I don’t want to fight anybody. I don’t want facing any problems on the court. I just want to enjoy.

It’s not like I’m playing because I’m starving from death and I need to do something original to earn money. I want to enjoy. It’s so simple. I just want to enjoy. I don’t want to fight. I don’t want to shout.

I just want to have a nice match, win or lose, and whatever happens to go home. That’s it. I don’t want to face the foot faults and all these things. So I don’t have to put myself together, let’s try to calm down, let’s play some tennis.

The guy from Vince’s side was shouting every five minutes, Come on Vince; come on Vince. Also it’s annoying. (laughter.)

So you need really to concentrate on that. But unfortunately I have to. I have to do that. But I wish I could play normal tennis and enjoy my matches sometimes.”

I also think Marat needs a haircut. Just, a trim, though, he’s looking a little scruffy.

Filed under: Safin, U.S. Open, marat safin, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open