.

Flushing Meadows

On the women's side of this year's US Open i am rooting for the Russian. No not the ultra-popular perennial semi-finalist Maria Sharapova but the sort of low-profile Elena Dementieva. She is having a great year and has the best ground strokes since the Williams sisters were healthy. I saw her recently in Carson, California where she destroyed Maria who coincidentally is favored to win the US Open. Elena is ranked 5th in the world but not yet regarded an elite because of her inability to win consistently. She has trouble focusing and to quote former WTA player turned broadcaster Mary Joe Fernandez "She has trouble stringing good sets together". It's like the the Amelie Mauresmo syndrome where she botches a major finals after leading a set and a couple of breaks. Elenas weakness is her 1st serve inconsistency. The crack on her is that no serve looks the same (Another one of Mary Joe's observation). It is true. It's a real wonder how she makes it through a tournament with such a weak service game. Of course it is a testament to how good her ground strokes are. I think with her tremendous ground strokes, coupled with maybe a Sharapova-like serve she would virtually be unstoppable. Perhaps a better coach fixes that matter. How about Brad Gilbert? If she could somehow improve or at least get the first serve in 70% of the time she has a good chance of winning the Open.

Serena Williams although not healthy can win it too. She has proven that she is capable of stringing together wins even under duress... She is my dark horse. No pun intended. My sentimental favorite Martina Hingis on the other hand was ousted rather abruptly by a player ranked 104th. Her worse showing in the US Open ever. But... perhaps the story of this years US Open is ATP legend Andre Agassi. Andre is playing on his 21st consecutive US Open and has decided to hang it up after the Tournament. The US Open happens to be his first Major tournament so it is just fitting that he finishes up his career there in New York. I do not think i have to remind anyone what Andre has accomplished and what the man means to Tennis anywhere. He is tennis royalty no doubt...

Unlike Pete Sampras who walked away after a Slam win (interestingly enough-- against Andre in the 2002 US Open) Andre announced his retirement before Wimbledon perhaps a gesture geared more for the benefit of the fans rather than himself. Besides it wasn't a surprise that Pete walked away from the game like that. He was never flashy like Andre who came in the game in 1986 somewhat a spectacle. Perhaps what described Pete best is his game itself --all business Serve and Volley-- and he was the best at it. It's improbable that Andre duplicates Pete's feat of winning the Open to end a long and illustrious career. Though there is no doubt that he lays it all on the line for another chance at Victory. Cortisone and all...

That 2nd round match against Marcos Bhagdatis Thursday night was nothing shy of Spectacular. You had to be watching it to understand. The match was so good i couldn't eat my dinner... Perhaps John McEnroe put it best "A night of unparalleled emotions". So dramatic i thought Bob Costas would render a soliloquy...

Posted by: Marc Gabay
Friday, September 01, 2006