Federer still US Open top dog
September 9, 2008
Roger Federer may not have been able to win at the French Open or hold onto his crown at Wimbledon. He is however still top dog at the US Open tennis.
In the delayed final against Andy Murray he was too good for his challenger. The no. 6 seed had no answer to the play of Federer. He was once again showing that he is a force to be reckoned with.
The win at the 2008 US Open made it five straight US Opens for Federer. This match his winning streak at Wimbledon which he completed last year. He was going for six straight before Nadal brought this to an end earlier this year.
Federer has now won 13 career grand slams and is just one behind Pete Sampras in the all time list.
The match was won by Federer 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. He is probably back to full fitness after having health issues at the start of the year. Despite this he still made the Australian Open semis, the French Open final, Wimbledon final and won the US Open. This for most players is an awesome year. For Federer he was being written off as a has been.
With this win under his belt he will be keen to equal Sampras’ record when he kicks off the new grand slam season at the 2009 Australian Open.
Murray was outclassed by a champion player. Federer is one of the all time greats and is still a player to be feared when the draw comes out each tournament. I can see him taking back the number one ranking at some stage next year.
Serena back on top following US Open win
September 8, 2008
Tomorrow Serena Williams will be the number one ranked women’s tennis player following her straight sets win over Jelena Jankovic in the 2008 US Open final.
Both players went into the match knowing that the winner would claim the no. 1 ranking in women’s tennis. For Serena she was aiming for her ninth grand slam title and her third at the US Open, while Jankovic was shooting for her first ever grand slam title. The US Open was the first grand slam final she had reached.
The women’s final was played on Sunday night in what would normally be the men’s final timeslot. This came due to the torrential rain that hit New York on Saturday.
The match did not dissapoint. Even though Serena won the match in straight sets, Jankovic pushed her all the way and in the second set held a set point.
The first set saw plenty of breaks of serve before Serena got the edge and took the set 6-4. Serena hit 19 winners to Jankovic’s 8 however she also made 16 unforced errors to 11.
The second set saw Jankovic get a break at 3-3 and she held the next game to lead 5-3. Williams took the match to 4-5 and then stopped Jankovic from winning the set as she broke back. Jankovic had a set point which she was not able to convert.
The match had now swung back around in favor of Serena and she put the pressure on Jankovic to win her service game when down 5-6 in order to extend the match to a tiebreak. Serena got the better of Jankovic and took the second set to claim her third US Open crown and to also rise to the top of the rankings. The final score was 6-4, 7-5.
Serena last held the no. 1 ranking way back in August 2003.
Five Straight for Federer at US Open tennis?
September 7, 2008
Roger Federer has beaten the rain and Novak Djokovic to take his shot at his fifth straight US Open tennis title.
The organisers brought the match forward by one hour as the weather reports said torrential rain was on the way. That is how it turned out as the second semi and the women’s final were not completed in the day’s play.
The other semifinal was moved to Louis Armstrong Stadium also in an attempt to beat the rain. Unfortunately they made the move too late and the match could not be completed before the torrential rain hit the courts. The move caused a security concern as when the announcement came there was a rush of fans from Arthur Ashe Stadium to Louis Armstrong.
The current world number 1, Rafael Nadal has a tough battle ahead of him when play resumes on Sunday New York time as he currently trials Andy Murray 6-2, 7-6(5), 2-3. It is not beyond him but Murray was playing a good match. Nadal does have the break and is serving when the players get back on court.
Roger Federer advanced to the final, which will be played on Monday following a 6-3, 5-7, 7-5, 6-2 win over his conquerer at the Australian Open at the same stage, Novak Djokovic. If not for that loss Federer would have been playing in his 14th straight grand slam final.
Federer started the match well and got a break in the first set. This was enough to secure the first set. In the second set Djokovic was now playing closer to his best and hitting the ball well. Djokovic and Federer both had breaks and the match was at a crucial point with Federer serving at 5-6. He quickly found himself 3 set points behind. Unlike last year in the final Djokovic converted a break point to level the match at a set a piece.
After the second set Djokovic was not able to earn himself a break point as Federer stepped up his game. The third set was tight and Djokovic was serving to level the match at 5-5. Djokovic made a few errors and the match turned as Federer broke. He served out the set to go two sets to one up.
Federer could now see the end in sight and pushed ahead to close out the match. He won the set 6-2 to claim his spot in the final. Federer was asked who he would prefer to meet in the final. He skipped the question by saying “I prefer the trophy, That’s what I prefer.”
Federer now can enjoy a day off as Nadal and Murray resume their match.
Federer will be aiming for his 13th grand slam title to edge closer to Pete Sampras’ record of 14.
Serena and Jelena setup US Open final battle for no. 1 spot
September 6, 2008
Going into the women’s semis of the 2008 US Open tennis tournament all four players had the chance to grab the no. 1 ranking on the WTA. Now that the semifinal matches have been played it is now a winner take all showdown between Jelena Jankovic and Serena Williams in the final.
In testing conditions on center court both players got off to slow starts in their respective matches. Players found it difficult to time their shots due to swirling winds on Arthur Ashe stadium.
First up was the no. 2 seed Jankovic against the no. 5 seed Elena Dementieva. It was the no. 5 seed who got off to a better start as she broke early to go out to a 2-0 lead. Dementieva’s game started to slip when she lead 4-2 and it was Jankovic who won five straight games to take the first set 6-4 and lead 1-0 in the second.
Dementieva had chances in the second set to take hold of the match and she broke Jankovic twice. Unfortunately for her she could not hold her own serve often enough as Jankovic closed out the match with three breaks of serve along the way. Jankovic earned her first ever grand slam final spot with a 6-4, 6-4 victory. Claiming two sets from Dementieva was no mean feat as she had not dropped a set all tournament.
Serena Williams also started slowly in her match against Dinara Safina. She fell a break behind early in the first set but then came back to break Safina twice. The strong wind was causing havoc with the players ball toss and ground strokes in general. Serena took the first set 6-3.
In the second set Safina was once again able to break. This did not help her much as she herself was broken three times. In the end Serena won the second set comfortably 6-2. This took her to the final once again where she will be playing for her third US Open title and ninth grand slam title overall. Jankovic will of course be playing for her first grand slam title.
Jankovic and Williams have a head to head record that currently stands at 3-3. Interestingly all their matches have been played on hard courts. At the 2008 Australian Open Jankovic knocked Williams out at the quarterfinal stage winning 6-3, 6-4. Williams hit back in Miami winning 6-1, 5-7, 6-3.
In the final it remains to be seen if Jankovic can handle the pressure of the big occasion associated with playing in a grand slam final. If she keeps her nerves under control she should have a good shot at beating Williams. I think it is too hard to call.
Nadal into first US Open semi
September 4, 2008
World no. 1 Rafael Nadal has overcome his third US opponent at the 2008 US Open to advance to the semifinals for the first time at this tournament.
This time around he was up against Mardy Fish. The American got off to a good start and took the first set 6-3. Nadal stormed back into the match taking the second 6-1. After the first set Nadal did not offer Fish another break point opportunity as he slowly worked his way to a semifinal spot.
The final match score was 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
Nadal will meet Andy Murray who defeated Juan Martin Del Potro in four sets.
Serena and Safina advance to semis at US Open
September 4, 2008
Serena Williams has overcome big sister Venus to advance to the semifinals of the US Open. She will meet Dinara Safina.
Serena was pushed to the limit in a top quality match against the 2008 Wimbledon champion. It was in the final at Wimbledon where the two Williams girls last met. In today’s match Serena came out on top 7-6(6), 7-6(7).
Both sets followed a similar pattern. There was a break apiece before the set ended up being decided in a tiebreak. In the second set Venus had the set in her sights before the never say die attitude of Serena saw her come back from set points down to snatch the set and with it the match. All up Serena saved eight set points in the second set.
In the earlier match Safina had easily accounted for Italy’s Flavia Pennetta. She won 6-2, 6-3 to move into her first ever US Open semifinal. Safina earlier this year was runnerup in the French Open.
We now have the situation where the four semifinalists will be fighting it out for the title of US Open champion and also for the top spot in the WTA rankings.
The semi finals see Safina play Serena Williams and Elena Dementieva plays Jelena Jankovic. The head to head for Safina and Williams is 3-1 in favor of Williams. They have met once before at the US Open way back in 2002. On that occasion Serena belted Safina. That is so long ago it counts for nothing.
Jankovic leads her head to head matchup with Dementieva 4-3. The pair met in the 2006 quarterfinals at the US Open where on that occasion Jankovic won 6-2, 6-1. Dementieva has been playing well over recent times and could get past Jankovic to reach the final.
Federer and Djokovic made to work hard for US Open quarterfinal berth
September 3, 2008
Four time defending champion Roger Federer was taken to five sets as he progressed to the quarterfinals at the 2008 US Open. He was up against Russia’s Igor Andreev who is the no. 23 seed.
The Russian took the first set in a tie break only to see Federer level the match through another tie break. Federer then got the jump on his opponent as he took the third set only to see Andreev fight back to take the match to a deciding fifth set. It was here that Federer showed his class and he ran out a 6-7(5), 7-6(5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 winner.
The 2008 Australian Open winner, Novak Djokovic was also pushed to five sets as he overcame Tommy Robredo. The score was 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.
In the late match Andy Roddick has no such problems with Beijing Olympic silver medalist Fernando Gonzalez. Roddick won in straight sets 6-2, 6-4, 6-1. Roddick the winner in 2003 has dropped just one set enroute to the quarterfinals.
Roddick will be tested by Djokovic in the quarters. If he can get past the Serbian you would have to give him some chance of winning another US Open title. Federer and Nadal of course will be keen to not let this happen. Federer if he can overcome Gilles Muller in the quarters will play the winner of the Roddick match.
Dementieva and Jankovic setup US Open tennis semifinal showdown
September 3, 2008
Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic have cruised into the 2008 US Open semifinals. The no. 5 seed, Dementieva was first up on center court and easily accounted for the 15th seeded Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-3. Jankovic followed this up with an equally impressive victory over the the 29th seed from Austria Sybille Bammer, 6-1, 6-4.
Both Dementieva and Schnyder served at a good percentage with 80% and 75% respectively. The key stat from the match was the number of unforced errors. Dementieva who is full of confidence following her recent Olympic gold medal win in Beijing made 14 while Schnyder had 29. Dementieva was well on top of her opponent and created 13 break points and was able to convert on 5. Her opponent could only manage 1 of 2.
In the after match interview Dementieva said she feels that she will need to improve her game to go all the way at the US Open. She expected she might end up playing Jankovic in the semifinal. This is how it worked out.
Jankovic dominated her opponent and had 19 break point opportunities and was able to convert 8. The no.2 seed made just 14 errors compared with Bammer’s 40. That was pretty much what decided the match.
We now await the outcome of the all Williams quarterfinal and the Dinara Safina-Flavia Pennetta quarterfinal. At this stage we now know that Ana Ivanovic will lose the top ranking in women’s tennis, just who replaces her is still wide open.
Which one of five will be world number 1 women’s tennis player?
September 2, 2008
The US Open women’s tennis tournament has reached the quarterfinal stage. The most exciting matchup is the all Williams match that sees the Williams sisters play each other for the 17th time. They are currently 8-8 in the head to head.
Going into the quarterfinal matches there are five players who may end up as the number one ranked women’s tennis player at the end of the tournament. Four are still alive in the tournament. The contenders are Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Serena Willams, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina.
The quarterfinals are as follows:
Flavia Pennetta ITA (16) v Dinara Safina RUS (6)
Serena Williams USA (4) v Venus Williams USA (7)
Elena Dementieva RUS (5) v Patty Schnyder SUI (15)
Sybille Bammer AUT (29) v Jelena Jankovic SRB (2)
Ana Ivanonic despite losing in the third round could hold onto her ranking provided neither Jankovic or Serena Williams make the semis and if neither Dementieva and Safina make the final.
Jankovic is looking good for the number one spot. She can claim it if she wins the US Open or she makes the final and does not play Serena. She can also end up as number one by making the semis with Serena losing in the quarters and if both the Russian girls do not make the final.
Serena’s chances are much the same as for Jankovic. If she wins the US Open she will be no. 1. If Serena makes the final and Jankovic loses by the semifinal along with Dementieva and Safina losing by the final this will also see her claim the top spot.
For Dementieva she can grab top spot if she wins the US Open. She also can be no.1 if she makes the final and Jankovic and Serena lose by the semifinal and Safina does not win the Open.
Safina will match the feats of her brother Marat and become the no. 1 if she wins the US Open and faces someone other than Jankovic in the final. Safina can also be no. 1 if she makes the final and Jankovic loses the quarterfinal match along with Serena and Dementieva losing in the semis.
This all makes for some exciting matches over the remaining days of the 2008 US Open women’s tournament. Since Henin has left the game just before the French Open in 2008 the top spot has been hard for anyone to take a firm grip.
My earlier tip for the US Open, Elena Dementieva is still looking good for the title.
- update, Serena takes to spot following US Open win in 2008
Serena-Venus show to take place at US Open quarterfinals
September 2, 2008
Serena and Venus Williams have both won their fourth round matches at the US Open to setup a quarterfinal showdown.
Serena will be having more to play for when the two sisters meet for the 17th time in their career. They are currently 8-8 in the head to head matchup. If Serena advances to the final she will become the new world no.1 ranked player in women’s tennis.
Serena defeated wildcard Severine Bremond 6-2, 6-2 while Venus eliminated Polish ninth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-3.
The last time the pair met was at this year’s Wimbledon final when Venus got the better of Serena winning 7-5, 6-4.
The quarterfinal matchup for the 2008 US Open women’s tournament is as follows:
Flavia Pennetta ITA (16) v Dinara Safina RUS (6)
Serena Williams USA (4) v Venus Williams USA (7)
Elena Dementieva RUS (5) v Patty Schnyder SUI (15)
Sybille Bammer AUT (29) v Jelena Jankovic SRB (2)
Dementieva takes on Schnyder on Arthur Ashe Stadium starting at 11.00am on Tuesday. The second quarterfinal match is scheduled for 7.00pm and will see Jankovic take on Bammer.
The two remaining quarterfinal matches will be played on Wednesday.
