WTA Aug 27-Sept 9 US Open Flushing Meadows, NY Grand Slam $19,653,000 128 players - outdoor: hard Deco Turf Matches: Live Scores - OOP - results Draws: WS pdf - mix doub Women: qualif - singles - doub Men: qualif - singles - doub pics: "US Open" - "U.S. Open"     CBS - tourney - slides - WTA stats - US Open Radio listen live Video: highlight videos     WTA interview videos TV Sched - news - interviews website map - venue map - history NYC: radar - forecast - news # 1 Justine Henin # 2 Maria Sharapova # 3 Jelena Jankovic # 4 Ana Ivanovic # 5 Svetlana Kuznetsova

tourney archive: previous tourney page     next tourney page Flushing Meadows: #1 Justine Henin 5'5¾" 126lb RH 1H-BH Flushing Meadows: 7th Grand Slam Title Flushing Meadows: 2nd US Open Title

Early round play at  Flushing Meadows begins at  noon local time. USTA Billie Jean King Nat'l Tennis Center at Corona Park in Flushing Meadows click pic for sat pic-map - venue map, .pdf Latitude: 40.749874 Long.: -73.84689 goto link for World Wind NWS weather radar: Flushing Meadows current conditions:     The US Open has 32 seeds, with no 1st-round byes. There are 16 qualifiers and 8 wild cards in the main draw. Qualifying finals are on Friday, August 24th.     New York (daylight savings) time is GMT (UCT, ZULU) + 4 hours (=US Eastern Daylight Time, PDT -3). Early round play begins at 11am local time; the Final is at 7pm on Saturday, Sept 8th.

On Saturday in New York, in the final of the 2007 US Open, the 2003 champion, 25-year-old top-seeded # 1 Justine Henin of Belgium (residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco), defeated the 2004 champ, 25-year-old 5th-seeded # 5 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia (who also now resides in Monte Carlo), 6-1, 6-3 (Justine is shown during the match, and posing with the hardware on Sunday).     Svetlana served first, and won the first two points, but Justine won the next four points with aggressive play, taking a one break lead immediately. Justine then held her serve to take a 2-0 lead, drawing errors from Svetlana with strong groundstrokes and by taking the net. Svetlana came closer to holding serve on her second attempt, but was again broken by Justine.     The fourth game, Justine serving, was the longest of the 1st set, with Svetlana holding a break point which she could not convert, then reaching deuce twice more, before Justine held with a 2nd serve ace down the middle.     Playing better now, Svetlana held serve to cut Justine's lead to 4-1. But Justine held at love in the 6th game, then broke Svetlana's serve a third time to take the 1st set 6-1.     Justine, clearly playing better than she had while losing the 2006 final to Maria Sharapova, was controlling the match with net play and well-placed high-paced groundstrokes, which set up winners, and pressured Svetlana into hitting errors, mostly off her backhand side. Justine, like all of Svetlana's opponents, is well aware that Sveta's forehand is her most dangerous side.     Justine served to start the 2nd set, and held. In the 2nd game Svetlana, with well-placed serves, held at love. Justine held serve again in the 3rd game, bringing the score to 6-1, 2-1.     The 4th game of the 2nd set was the longest of the match. After the seventh deuce, Svetlana netted a ball, then sent the next one long, giving Justine the break she needed to win the championship.     Leading 3-1, Justine successfully defended a break point, gained the advantage with her 2nd ace of the match, and held serve with a overhead smash winner. Svetlana held to cut Justine's lead to 6-1, 4-2, and Justine held again, on a backhand volley winner, to make it 5-2.     Serving to stay in the match, Svetlana again placed her deliveries (which are at a typical WTA pace, somewhat slower than Justine's) well, and held at love.     Serving for the match at 6-1, 5-3, Justine fired an ace up the T. As she was about to deliver her next serve, someone in the crowd yelled as she was beginning her toss. Justine then double faulted, and double faulted again. 15-30. Svetlana won the next point with a high forehand volley, almost a smash. 15-40. Justine fired another ace up the T, 30-40, Svetlana sent the ball wide to make it deuce.     Another double fault gave Svetlana the break point she needed. Justine does not often have a high 1st serve percentage, and she accepts a moderate number of double faults as the price for often exceeding 90 mph on her 2nd serves. This was not a good time for such an occurrance, however.     But Svetlana sent the next ball long, bringing up a second deuce, and then did it again, giving Justine match point. And Justine won her 7th Grand Slam singles title by taking the net, as she had successfully throughout the match, winning with a drop shot, which Svetlana barely reached, and a lob volley over Sveta's head, which she had no hope of reaching. It was Justine's only lob in the match.     Justine scored on 81% of her net approaches (13 of 16); Svetlana on 71% (10 of 14). Justine hit 25 winners with 21 unforced errors, and converted 4 of 8 break points (Svetlana: 11 winners, 29 errors, 0 of 6 break points). match stats - BBC game-by-game     Justine said: "The quality I played in the last few matches is amazing. It's just a great feeling because I had a tough draw and I had a lot of things to prove to myself--not to anyone else, just to myself. And I did it. So I've been so consistent for two weeks and so calm, so relaxed, and it's been great. I didn't lose a set in Toronto and in here, so it's just great what I did and I'm really proud of it." postmatch interview     Svetlana's WTA singles ranking will reach a career-high # 2 on Monday. Svetlana said: "I think the match was much closer than the score... To beat Justine, she's No. 1. When she plays her best game I have to play my best game. I didn't play my best game so that's why I lost... With these players like her, so high level, you just have few opportunities, not many. If you don't use them, there's no way I gonna win. I had so many of them. I felt I just didn't move to the ball well enough because I was pretty tight. So I think I got to learn a lot out of this final and take many times and improve it. There is something about my game I have to work." postmatch interview     Justine now leads Svetlana 15-2 in career matches, but Svetlana won the last time they played, on red clay (Justine's favorite surface) in the semifinal of this year's German Open in Berlin, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Prior to that, Justine defeated Svetlana ten times in a row, dating back to early 2004.

WTA SCOREBOARD: The US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York s=seed, #=rank, *=upset, LL=lucky loser ranks are for the previous week How do players get into the "draw"? On Wednesday, August 22, 2007 in New York, Nadia Petrova was stranded atop the Empire State Building with a friend of Fay Wray... meanwhile, 2006 US Open champ Maria Sharapova struggled to escape the grip of photographers admiring her new Nike togs... On Thursday, the 23rd, 2000 & 2001 US Open champ Venus Williams showed reporters her new line of clothing, while 2006 champ Maria sliced some backhands at Flushing Meadows... Ana Ivanovic was also looking good at practice on Thursday, as was Maria while attending a charity auction on Thursday evening... On Saturday, pretty ladies meeting the press included 2003 champ Justine Henin, 1999 & 2002 champ Serena Williams, that Sharapova girl again, and Jelena Jankovic... Serena Williams fired a forehand at kid's day festivities on Saturday, while Ana Ivanovic and 1997 champ Martina Hingis goofed off... On Monday, Martina, hearing about Nadia's situation, rushed to the top of the Empire State Building, but found that Fay Wray's friend had already left with Nadia... Tennis fan Christie Brinkley attended the opening night session on Monday...

US Open, 1st Rd Mon-Tue Aug 27-28 11am loser's prize: $17,500 (2006: $16,500); points: 2 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #142 q Julia Goerges GER 6-0, 6-3 Mon Justine driving a backhand, and after match point     Justine said: "I don't have a lot of things to say about that match, because there wasn't a lot of rhythm. [Julia] was serving pretty hard, pretty good, but did a lot of mistakes. I just did a good job. Generally it's been positive.     "I didn't serve that well. I was a bit concerned the last few days with my shoulder [right shoulder inflammation]. It's getting better, but still a little bit scary...     "I had a chance to practice yesterday with [Jelena] Jankovic on the [Ashe] stadium. It's different. It's big. It's huge. You need a little bit of time to get used to it. But it's a good feeling. It's a court that brings me a lot of good memories good and bad memories. But, not so different this Grand Slam from the others. I'm feeling good." postmatch interview #2 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS d #49 Roberta Vinci ITA 6-0, 6-1 Tue Maria getting a little elevation while twisting a serve, Roberta reaching for a forehand, Maria's backhand, and after winning a point     Maria said: "Apart from being a little nervous in the end, I thought I did a good job of doing the right things, not just on the serve but in my game as well. Coming in after being the defending champion, stepping out on to the court, it's not exactly the easiest situation. I thought I handled it pretty well...     "I was struggling with the shoulder [right shoulder injuries] for quite a while. After Wimbledon my team got together, and we just thought of all the things that could help my shoulder, not just for the next tournament or not just for the next Grand Slam, but for my future, what was going to be important for it.     "I adjusted my weight of my racquet a little bit. I changed the serve and made it a little shorter. It's not that short, just shorter than it used to be because my old swing used to be pretty dramatically long.     "Changes take quite a long time to figure out, whether it's a new string or a new racquet or a new motion. I've never really had to change too much over the course of the last couple of years, until I had to change the swing on my serve. But that's just so I can play for so many years and not be injured...     "I served pretty consistently today. I hit one 115 or 116 actually. But I feel like my speed is getting here. In the middle of year I was just trying to get a higher percentage of first serves in and now I'm feeling like I'm getting a lot more velocity in it...     "My serve becomes better when I jump forward and I move in. It just gives me more confidence on the serve. It's a good way to practice it when you're up 30-Love or 40-Love. I mean, why not? I'm going to be playing for a few years to come. If I can add these things to my game now it'll only make me a better player in the coming years." postmatch interview #3 s3 Jelena Jankovic SRB d #102 Jarmila Gajdosova SVK 6-2, 7-6(2) Mon Jelena driving a forehand     About the 2nd set, Jelena said: "I think [Jarmila] was really hitting the ball and she was going for broke. All of the balls were going in. It was just so hard. The balls that she was hitting, they were really like so hard. I was very nervous. I got tight at the end, but I managed to kind of recuperate and do my best as much as I can and finish the match...     "My shoe broke at the end of the first set. I kind of lost my concentration a bit because I was thinking, you know, what am I going to do if this shoe completely wears out? Can I play barefoot? What am I supposed to do [laughter]?     "It was difficult. The trainer came out. I didn't even know if she was allowed to come if the shoe breaks because that's not a medical timeout. She helped me. She put some glue, which she stuck my sock to the sole, so I had some other problem there. I managed to get through everything and win the match." postmatch interview #4 s4 Ana Ivanovic SRB d #52 Aiko Nakamura JPN 6-1, 6-1 Mon Ana's backhand drive     Ana won easily despite putting only 39% of her 1st serves in the box. Ana said: "It's first match. You always need some time to get into the match. But I think my serve was much faster than it was before. And my second serve was also getting a lot stronger. So that gave me a lot of confidence. Sometimes I was looking for too much on my first serve. I was just trying to figure out what works the best for me.     "So tomorrow I'm going to get some time to work on it, so hopefully for next match I'll have a high percentage. But I think I was serving quite well at some moments. It didn't really bother me much. I'm sure I can improve it for the next matches." postmatch interview - match stats #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #80 Klara Zakopalova CZE 6-2, 6-3 Tue Svetlana's backhand drive #6 s6 Anna Chakvetadze RUS d #410 wc Ashley Weinhold USA 6-1, 6-1 Tue #8 s7 Nadia Petrova RUS d #95 Timea Bacsinszky SUI 6-3, 6-1 Tue Nadia's forehand #9 s8 Serena Williams USA d #70 Angelique Kerber GER 6-3, 7-5 Mon Serena following a forehand, and Angelique driving a backhand     Serena said: "I think [Angelique] definitely played a tough game, but I just think I made a lot of errors. I didn't feel I moved my feet well. I felt like I was just flat footed. I felt like I was just heavy... I didn't feel pressure to win. I just don't want to lose in the first round. I'll be better the next match." postmatch interviewy *#48 Julia Vakulenko UKR d #10 s9 Daniela Hantuchova SVK 6-4, 3-6, 6-1 Tue Daniela swatting a forehand, Julia running down a backhand, and after match point #11 s10 Marion Bartoli FRA d #297 wc Alexa Glatch USA 6-1, 6-1 Mon Marion's unorthodox forehand drive: her forehand grip is the same as her backhand grip... few right-handers other than Marion put the left hand above the right on the forehand side, Zi Yan being a notable exception     Marion said: "I think [Alexa] was a little scared maybe. I don't know if she played the US Open before in the woman's draw. When I was a wildcard, I was playing the French Open, I remember I was really scared every time I was playing on court. I think she was the same today. But she can hit the ball pretty well, and she can serve hard, and I think my game was just right enough to beat her in an hour or so." postmatch interview #12 s11 Patty Schnyder SUI d #89 Iveta Benesova CZE 6-3, 6-0 Tue Patty's backhand drive #13 s12 Venus Williams USA d #139 q Kira Nagy HUN 6-2, 6-1 Mon Venus serving, Kira driving a forehand, and Venus driving a backhand     Venus said: "I felt good. When I was playing in San Diego I was really, really tired, but I was playing well. I wanted to pick up from where I left off there.     "I think [Kira] played well. Definitely her ball was a little bit different. It did give me some challenges. I felt like I was so close to the ball. Maybe I was just running fast hopefully. But it was very exciting to obviously start with two service return winners." postmatch interview #14 s13 Nicole Vaidisova CZE d #63 Alla Kudryavtseva RUS 6-1, 6-2 Tue Nicole driving a forehand, and after match point #15 s14 Elena Dementieva RUS d #94 Stephanie Cohen-Aloro FRA 6-4, 6-3 Mon Elena's backhand drive #16 s15 Dinara Safina RUS d #113 Catalina Castano COL 6-2, 6-3 Mon Dinara after winning a point #17 s16 Martina Hingis SUI d #114 Mathilde Johansson FRA 6-0, 6-3 Tue Mathilde's forehand, Martina driving a backhand, and after match point     Martina said: "Sometimes when you have a rough couple of months, coming back from an injury, all that, it's like L.A. and San Diego, the tournaments were a little bit rusty, rocky. I just took some time off, get my body and myself back together. Today I'm very pleased. I hope I can continue this way...     The way I moved today, I think it looked quite all right, the way I played. You're always a little bit nervous about something happening. When you're injured, you don't want to get it back or something, so you try to strengthen things. I'm happy that I have good people around me right now and they help me to stay healthy. It's good." postmatch interview - interview video     Describing the injury that has troubled her this year, Martina said: "My hip, back, femur bone was inflamed. Like stress reaction... It began like after Miami. I felt it a bit in the doubles of Miami, but I continued to play. That's when I pulled out of Charleston...     "Usually my body recovers pretty quickly. The more I do it kind of helps it. This time it was just like getting worse. My hip was uneven, I guess... Out of alignment. I mean, the more you did, you kind of made it worse because then you start compensating. I saw a few doctors in Munich. That helped. I started recovering, yup."     Since the Acura Classic in San Diego, Martina has been swinging an all-black racquet with no labels whatsoever, not even on the base of the grip. Martina also no longer carries a Yonex racquet bag. This would appear to indicate that Martina is negotiating with a racquet company other than Yonex, and they have not yet come to terms. The new bat is a narrow-beam model and does not appear to resemble recent models from Prince or Head; possibly it is a Wilson.     When a reporter asked her about the new bat, Martina said: "I'm not talking about this subject right now. Yup, it's a black frame. Testing racquet." *#110 wc Ahsha Rolle USA d #18 s17 Tatiana Golovin FRA 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 Mon #19 s18 Shahar Peer ISR d #46 Meilen Tu USA 6-4, 7-6(7) Tue Shahar's backhand drive #20 s19 Sybille Bammer AUT d #76 Tamarine Tanasugarn THA 6-4, 6-4 Mon Sybille after winning a point #22 s20 Lucie Safarova CZE d #629 wc Jessica Moore AUS 6-3, 6-2 Mon #23 s21 Alona Bondarenko UKR d #51 Gisela Dulko ARG 6-4, 6-3 Mon #24 s22 Katarina Srebotnik SLO d #73 Alicia Molik AUS 6-2, 6-2 Tue Katarina's forehand drive *#64 Dominika Cibulkova SVK d #25 s23 Tathiana Garbin ITA 6-4, 6-3 Tue Dominika's forehand #26 s24 Francesca Schiavone ITA d #57 Nathalie Dechy FRA 6-3, 6-1 Tue Francesca after winning a point *#56 Vera Dushevina RUS d #27 s25 Mara Santangelo ITA 6-2, 6-4 Mon #28 s26 Sania Mirza IND d #44 Kaia Kanepi EST 6-2, 6(5)-7, 6-1 Tue Sania's service toss, her forehand drive, and Sania after match point #29 s27 Vera Zvonareva RUS d #160 q Alina Jidkova RUS 6-0, 6(5)-7, 6-0 Mon Vera following a forehand; due to a left wrist injury she had not played a match since the Charleston semis in April #30 s28 Ai Sugiyama JPN d #124 q Andreja Klepac SLO 6-3, 6-1 Mon Ai's backhand drive *#97 q Alize Cornet FRA d #31 s29 Samantha Stosur AUS 6-3, 6-2 Mon Alize driving a backhand     This is the biggest win of 17-year-old Alize's career [by opponent's ranking]; it is the 4th time Alize has reached the 2nd round of a Grand Slam. Alize Cornet record     World Teen Tennis: Alize will play another 17-year-old, # 83 Caroline Wozniacki, in the 2nd round on Wednesday. #32 s30 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d #54 Akiko Morigami JPN 6-2, 6-1 Tue #33 s31 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP d #93 Aleksandra Wozniak CAN 6-3, 6-3 Tue #34 s32 Michaella Krajicek NED d #126 Alberta Brianti ITA 6-2, 6-0 Tue Michaella after winning a point #35 Maria Kirilenko RUS d #37 Martina Muller GER 6-3, 6-1 Tue Maria following a cannonball serve, and reaching for a forehand #36 Virginie Razzano FRA d #39 Emilie Loit FRA 6-1, 6-2 Tue #38 Victoria Azarenka BLR d #111 q Emmanuelle Gagliardi SUI 6-1, 6-1 Tue #40 Meghann Shaughnessy USA d #82 Vania King USA 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 Mon Meghann following a forehand #41 Agnes Szavay HUN d #115 q Sandra Kloesel GER 6-1, 6-2 Tue #42 Eleni Daniilidou GRE d #62 Yvonne Meusburger AUT 6-2, 6-4 Mon #43 Tamira Paszek AUT d #96 Greta Arn GER 6-4, 6-4 Tue *#132 q Tsvetana Pironkova BUL d #45 Olga Poutchkova RUS 6-3, 6-4 Mon *#81 Flavia Pennetta ITA d #47 Shuai Peng CHN 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 Tue Flavia after match point #50 Kateryna Bondarenko UKR d #90 Virginia Ruano Pascual ESP 6-3, 7-6(4) Mon #55 Karin Knapp ITA d #69 Yung-Jan Chan TPE 6-2, 6-0 Mon *#87 Jelena Kostanic Tosic CRO d #58 Elena Vesnina RUS 6-4, 6-2 Tue #59 Elena Likhovtseva RUS d #235 wc Lauren Albanese USA 6-0, 6-2 Mon #60 Laura Granville USA d #168 q Olivia Sanchez FRA 6-2, 6-2 Tue Laura following a forehand #61 Aravane Rezai FRA d #116 q Jorgelina Cravero ARG 6-3, 7-5 Mon #65 Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP d #NR sr Yoon Jeong Cho KOR 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 Tue #66 Maria Elena Camerin ITA d #86 Tatiana Poutchek BLR 6-3, 7-6(4) Mon #67 Olga Govortsova RUS d #134 Sofia Arvidsson SWE 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 Mon #68 Severine Bremond FRA d #79 Edina Gallovits ROU 6-1, 7-5 Tue #71 Nicole Pratt AUS d #251 wc Jamea Jackson USA 3-6, 6-4, 6-0 Tue *#91 Casey Dellacqua AUS d #74 Yaroslava Shvedova RUS 6-3, 6-2 Tue *#129 Petra Cetkovska CZE d #75 Jill Craybas USA 6-0, 7-6(4) Mon *#100 Ekaterina Bychkova RUS d #78 q Zi Yan CHN 6-2, 6-4 Mon #83 Caroline Wozniacki DEN d #98 Tzipora Obziler ISR 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 Mon #84 Anastasia Rodionova RUS d #104 Olga Savchuk UKR 6-4, 6-4 Tue #85 Ioana Raluca Olaru ROU d #88 Ashley Harkleroad USA 7-5, 1-6, 6-4 Mon #92 Camille Pin FRA d #161 q Tatiana Perebiynis UKR 6-1, 6-2 Tue #103 Andrea Petkovic GER d #578 wc Audra Cohen USA 6-4, 6-1 Mon Andrea driving a backhand #106 Sara Errani ITA d #119 q Renata Voracova CZE 7-5, 6-3 Mon #107 q Pauline Parmentier FRA d #112 Tatjana Malek GER 6-2, 6-4 Tue #121 Bethanie Mattek USA d #216 wc Madison Brengle USA 6-4, 6-1 Tue *#157 q Ekaterina Makarova RUS d #127 Julia Schruff GER 6-1, 0-6, 6-2 Mon

US Open, 2nd Rd Wed-Thu Aug 29-30 loser's prize: $27,500 (2006: $26,500); points: 60 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #132 q Tsvetana Pironkova BUL 6-4, 6-0 Wed Justine stepping into a forehand, Tsvetana reaching for one, and Justine's backhand     Justine said: "I'm just happy the way I won my last two matches. Just go step by step and try to build my confidence day after day. For the rest, we will see. In a Grand Slam, you have to be strong, win seven matches. It's tough; it's long. You need to be consistent for two weeks. Little mistakes can make a big difference so you need to be aware all the time." postmatch interview #2 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS d #91 Casey Dellacqua AUS 6-1, 6-0 Thu Casey serving, Maria eyeing a backhand, following one, and after match point     Maria said: "I felt pretty well. Apart from one game where, in six first serves, I only made one of them. Apart from that, I thought I did a pretty good job of holding my ground, and doing the right things, and figuring out her game, and what I needed to do pretty quickly. So that was a good thing...     "I'm just trying to play solid from the first point until the end. I don't want to give my opponents any chances, and I got to take mine. Just got to do my job and get off the court...     "This summer I definitely feel like I'm playing better tennis, and one of biggest factors is I feel healthy and I'm not thinking about preventing something or making something worse or not. I feel like I'm playing freely and I know what I'm capable of doing on the court. When you don't feel 100%, it's pretty tough to do that because you feel limited to your game. It's kind of refreshing to go out there and just be thinking of what you need to do to win the match." postmatch interview #3 s3 Jelena Jankovic SRB d #67 Olga Govortsova RUS 6-2, 6-2 Wed Jelena driving a forehand, and after match point #4 s4 Ana Ivanovic SRB d #61 Aravane Rezai FRA 6-3, 6-1 Wed Ana serving, Avavane's forehand drive, and Ana after winning a point     Ana said: "[Aravane] was obviously tough player to play against. I was going a little bit for too much, meaning I was going too much for the lines in the beginning of the first set especially. So there was a lot of close calls, especially my serve in the first game they were all very close to the lines. I guess I saw them also very close because I was nervous. Then as the match went on I got a little bit in the rhythm and took my opportunities." postmatch interview #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #92 Camille Pin FRA 6-3, 4-6, 6-0 Thu Svetlana and Camille driving forehands     Svetlana said: "In the second set, I missed so many of my chances. I've been missing so much unforced errors. I was not moving my feet. But still I knew I was comfortable. If I really want to do it, I'll get it all together... So from this moment I just started to turn it on and just play the right shots.     "I think I never been in my life so many times in the net as today. And I'm pretty happy to come a lot to the net... I'm not happy it went to the third set." postmatch interview #6 s6 Anna Chakvetadze RUS d #71 Nicole Pratt AUS 6-3, 6-4 Thu Anna's backhand drive #8 s7 Nadia Petrova RUS d #84 Anastasia Rodionova RUS 7-5, 6-1 Thu Nadia's backhand #9 s8 Serena Williams USA d #66 Maria Elena Camerin ITA 7-5, 6-2 Wed Serena following a cannonball serve, Maria Elena running down a forehand, and Serena after match point     Serena said: "I played better than my first round... Physically I'm fine. I feel like I'm really good. Not tired or anything. I'm really fit...     I felt like I had opportunities, and I didn't take them. You know, should have been a different score line. But that was only because I missed the wrong shots at the wrong time." postmatch interview #11 s10 Marion Bartoli FRA d #106 Sara Errani ITA 6-4, 6-2 Wed Marion driving a backhand #12 s11 Patty Schnyder SUI d #68 Severine Bremond FRA 6-3, 6-0 Thu Patty's service toss, Severine's flying forehand, and Patty launching one on the move #13 s12 Venus Williams USA d #85 Ioana Raluca Olaru ROU 6-4, 6-2 Wed Venus running down a forehand     Venus said: "I think I missed a few shots that were easy, but ultimately, I mean, it's important to get to the next round. I always feel like my game will be there. I'm not stressed out on a few shots. Feel a little wiser, so... It was good today." postmatch interview #14 s13 Nicole Vaidisova CZE d #81 Flavia Pennetta ITA 6-2, 7-6(0) Thu Nicole in mid service and dispatching a twist serve, Flavia driving a forehand, and Nicole's backhand #15 s14 Elena Dementieva RUS d #129 Petra Cetkovska CZE 6-3, 6-2 Wed Elena delivering a twist serve #16 s15 Dinara Safina RUS d #50 Kateryna Bondarenko UKR 6-2, 6-1 Wed #17 s16 Martina Hingis SUI d #107 q Pauline Parmentier FRA 6-2, 7-5 Thu Pauline's forehand, Martina following a backhand, and after match point     Martina said: "My baseline game's always been out there. It's whether I can put it all together. I served today not probably the best. It came out when I needed it, especially at the end, you know, being down 5-4, Love-30. That doesn't feel that great.     "But then I served really well the next game, and still the last game was much better. Sometimes that's when you have to come out and focus." postmatch interview #19 s18 Shahar Peer ISR d #121 Bethanie Mattek USA 6-2, 6-1 Thu Shahar's backhand drive #20 s19 Sybille Bammer AUT d #40 Meghann Shaughnessy USA 6-4, 6-3 Wed #22 s20 Lucie Safarova CZE d #103 Andrea Petkovic GER 6-3, 6-3 Wed Lucie following a forehand #23 s21 Alona Bondarenko UKR d #42 Eleni Daniilidou GRE 6-4, 6(4)-7, 6-3 Wed Alona after winning a point *#35 Maria Kirilenko RUS d #24 s22 Katarina Srebotnik SLO 6-4, 6-3 Thu Maria following a backhand *#43 Tamira Paszek AUT d #26 s24 Francesca Schiavone ITA 6-3, 7-5 Thu Tamira driving a backhand #28 s26 Sania Mirza IND d #60 Laura Granville USA 6-3, 7-5 Thu Sania's forehand drive #29 s27 Vera Zvonareva RUS d #59 Elena Likhovtseva RUS 6-4, 6-2 Wed *#157 q Ekaterina Makarova RUS d #30 s28 Ai Sugiyama JPN 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 Wed Ekaterina serving, and Ai driving a backhand #32 s30 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d #36 Virginie Razzano FRA 6-2, 6-3 Thu Agnieszka reaching for a backhand #33 s31 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP d #65 Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP 7-5, 6-2 Thu Anabel following a backhand *#41 Agnes Szavay HUN d #34 s32 Michaella Krajicek NED 7-6(4), 6-3 Thu Agnes driving a forehand, and Michaella's backhand #38 Victoria Azarenka BLR d #64 Dominika Cibulkova SVK 6-2, 6-2 Thu #48 Julia Vakulenko UKR d #87 Jelena Kostanic Tosic CRO 6-2, 6-1 Thu Jelena about to slice a backhand, and Julia's forehand drive *#110 wc Ahsha Rolle USA d #55 Karin Knapp ITA 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 Wed #56 Vera Dushevina RUS d #100 Ekaterina Bychkova RUS 6-4, 6-3 Wed *#97 q Alize Cornet FRA d #83 Caroline Wozniacki DEN 6-2, 6-1 Wed

US Open, 3rd Rd Fri-Sat Aug 31-Sep 1 loser's prize: $43,000 (2006: $42,000); points: 90 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #157 Ekaterina Makarova RUS 6-0, 6-2 Fri Ekaterina delivering a twist serve, Justine's fine forehand, Ekaterina following a backhand, and both at net after match point     Justine said: "I'm just feeling happy to be on the court. I'm healthy. I mean, almost a hundred percent except for my shoulder. No, it's great. I love to play. I love being out there. That's the way I'm feeling good now. It's pretty good news...     "I go a hundred percent on every point. I love competition. I just want to give my best in every shot. That's what I did. But I was very happy the way I played today. It's been aggressive, it's been good from the first point till the end. Very glad about that." postmatch interview *#32 s30 Agnieszka Radwanska POL d #2 s2 Maria Sharapova RUS 6-4, 1-6, 6-2 Sat Maria following a cannonball serve, Agnieszka driving a forehand, Maria with that "not much fun in Stalingrad" look during a changeover, and Agnieska after match point     With Agnieszka leading 6-4, 1-0 in the 2nd set, Maria appeared to take control, winning the next 8 games to secure the 2nd set and a 2-0 lead in the 3rd. But Agnieska won the final 6 games to take the match. The highest-ranked player Agnieszka had previously defeated was # 6; she defeated both Elena Dementieva (Luxembourg 2006) and Martina Hingis (Miami 2007) when they held that rank. Radwanska record     Maria said: "Although I won many games in a row after losing the first and being down 1-0, you'd think I'd have the momentum in the third set with a break. But I just didn't really feel that way inside of me for some reason today. I don't feel like I had that belief that I usually do...     "A lot of girls in her position, on a big stage, in a big stadium, against a top player, sometimes get a little nervous. [Agnieszka] held on there, and all the credit to her for winning the match." postmatch interview     Agnieszka won 85 points to Maria's 84. Agnieska hit 18 winners with 23 unforced errors, including 2 double faults. Maria hit 36 winners with 49 unforced errors, including 12 double faults--and she won only 23% of her 2nd serve points. match stats     Agnieszka moved in close when awaiting Maria's 2nd serves. Agnieszka said: "I knew that she hates it if somebody moves when she is serving. So I knew I had a chance if I did it and she made so many errors on her second serve." postmatch interview     Maria said: "I don't worry about what my opponent is doing. I just worry about what I have to do... It's really not about what the opponent does, because the ball's in your hands. It's up to you to go out there and serve. I don't usually don't think about where my opponent's standing or not... It will be interesting to see if she does it again next time I play her." #3 s3 Jelena Jankovic SRB d #97 q Alize Cornet FRA 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Fri Jelena firing a cannonball serve, Alize following a backhand, Jelena driving one, and after match point #4 s4 Ana Ivanovic SRB d #56 Vera Dushevina RUS 6-1, 6-3 Fri Vera and Ana driving backhands, Ana after match point, and meeting the press after the match     Ana served 6 aces, and hit 28 winners with only 17 unforced errors (Vera D: no aces, 8 winners, 13 errors). Vera D held only one break point during the match, which she did not convert. match stats     Ana said: "I'm really happy with the result today. [Vera is a] tough opponent. She played good last couple of matches, so I expected a tough match out there. But I was really happy with the result. It's always nice to get through like this. I played some good tennis." postmatch interview #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #33 s31 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP 6-3, 6-1 Sat Svetlana driving a forehand, Anabel following a backhand, and Svetlana driving one #6 s6 Anna Chakvetadze RUS d #28 s26 Sania Mirza IND 6-2, 6-3 Sat Anna driving a forehand, Sania's backhand, Anna launching a forehand on the run, and after match point *#41 Agnes Szavay HUN d #8 s7 Nadia Petrova RUS 6-4, 6-4 Sat Nadia serving, Agnes driving a backhand, and after match point     Agnes hit 19 winners with 20 unforced errors, and delivered 7 aces with 3 double faults (Nadia: 15 winners, 29 errors, 2 aces, 1 DF). Nadia converted only 1 of 6 break points; Agnes converted 3 of 6. match stats     It was the biggest victory of Agnes's career (by rank). Agnes's previous highest-ranked victim was # 10 Daniela Hantuchova, just over a week ago at New Haven. Szavay record - postmatch interview #9 s8 Serena Williams USA d #29 s27 Vera Zvonareva RUS 6-4, 7-6(4) Fri Serena following her serve, Vera and Serena following backhands, and Serena after winning a point     Serena hit 22 winners with 35 unforced errors, and delivered 4 aces, but with 5 double faults (Vera Z: 20 winners, 31 errors, 1 ace, 3 DFs). Although Serena's fastest serve was 124 mph, her 1st serve average was 105 mph, and her 2nd serve average 84 mph (Vera Z: 110 mph peak, 102 average 1st, 84 average 2nd). match stats     Serena said: "I don't think I played well at all. But I'm happy I was able to come through... You just got to fight, hope to win. And that's what I did. You know, this girl was a top 10 player before. Wasn't she? I knew it was going to be a tough match, not easy." postmatch interview     Serena had not played a match between Wimbledon (late June) and the US Open due to a sprained left thumb, which she now says is fine. Due to a left wrist injury, Vera Z had not played a match since April until this tourney, hopefully her wrist, which had been bothering her since last summer, is okay now. #11 s10 Marion Bartoli FRA d #22 s20 Lucie Safarova CZE 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 Fri Marion serving, Lucie driving a forehand, and Marion after match point *#43 Tamira Paszek AUT d #12 s11 Patty Schnyder SUI 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(1) Sat Tamira reaching to slice a backhand, Patty driving one, and Tamira after match point #13 s12 Venus Williams USA d #23 s21 Alona Bondarenko UKR 6-1, 6-2 Fri Venus driving a forehand, Alona following a backhand, and Venus driving one     Venus put only 51% of her 1st serves in the box, but won 69% of her 1st serve points; Alona made 70% of her 1st serves good, but won only 39% of her 1st serve points. match stats     Venus said: "I definitely would like to have a higher first serve percentage. But it's not something that I'm worried about. I still feel like I can get my serve in. My second serve nowadays has a lot of kick. Definitely bouncing really high. So it was a good day." postmatch interview *#19 s18 Shahar Peer ISR d #14 s13 Nicole Vaidisova CZE 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) Sat Nicole driving a forehand, Shahar's backhand, Nicole wondering how she lost that point, and Shahar after match point *#20 s19 Sybille Bammer AUT d #15 s14 Elena Dementieva RUS 6-1, 6-2 Fri Elena's forehand drive, Sybille's backhand, and after match point #16 s15 Dinara Safina RUS d #110 wc Ahsha Rolle USA 6-4, 6-3 Fri Ahsha following a cannonball serve, Dinara lining up a (probably slice) backhand, and after winning a point     Ahsha said: "In the first set I think it was just a few points here and there that changed who won the first set. In the second set I think I lost my serve early on. And then again, [Dinara] was still serving good. It was hard for me to break her. It was 6-3. I finished holding my serve. She was just really tough to break. She was hitting really good second serves. I think she just played well." postmatch interview *#38 Victoria Azarenka BLR d #17 s16 Martina Hingis SUI 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 Sat Victoria serving, Martina driving a forehand, Victoria about to swat a backhand, and after match point *#48 Julia Vakulenko UKR d #35 Maria Kirilenko RUS 6-2, 6-4 Sat Julia driving a forehand, and Maria fielding one on the fly

US Open, 4th Rd, Sun-Mon Sep 2-3 loser's prize: $75,000 (2006: $72,000); points: 140 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #16 s15 Dinara Safina RUS 6-0, 6-2 Sun Justine and Dinara driving forehands, Justine reaching for a backhand volley, and after match point     Justine broke Dinara every game Dinara served; Dinara broke Justine's serve twice in the 2nd set. stats     Justine said: "I was happy the way I played and served. I've been consistent from the first point almost to the end, because I lost my serve twice in the second set. But happy. I was ready for a good battle, and she did a lot of mistakes but I've been very consistent. Didn't give a lot of free points. Very aggressive, went to the net a lot on my serves. It's good because I know that now I will need that in my next match and in my next few matches, I hope...     "I knew it was going to be a different level than the first three matches. It's good in because this kind of situation I know I can push myself a little more. In the first three matches I was playing well but I didn't know really where I was and how my level was, and today against a better player I knew that I had to be very, very aggressive on every point. So I was feeling good. My shoulder has been feeling better, too, so I'm very glad about that." AP story #3 s3 Jelena Jankovic SRB d #20 s19 Sybille Bammer AUT 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 Sun Jelena's forehand drive, Sybille driving a backhand, Jelena's backhand, and Jelena while hitting an autographed balls to the crowd after the match     Two 5-set ATP matches delayed the start of this match until mid-evening, after the Henin-Safina "night" match had already finished.     Jelena said: "It was very tough for me, especially that I've been here all day and wasn't really ready. I felt very flat on the court and very tight. Not motivated enough. I just didn't have that inside of me, especially in the first two sets. Then it turned in the third set, finally. I wanted to win really bad, and I said to myself, 'I'm going to give what I have and I will come through this match as a winner. I'm not going to give up. No matter what, I will do this,' and this is what I did.     "I played a lot better in the third set and managed to get through. But I just was struggling and the balls were a little bit heavier because it was nighttime and quite humid. It was different conditions out there and especially for being here all day, I was quite exhausted. I had to drink coffee before the match to stay awake. Even now I'm like falling asleep." postmatch interview *#13 s12 Venus Williams USA d #4 s4 Ana Ivanovic SRB 6-4, 6-2 Sun Venus chasing a forehand, Ana following one, Venus smashing a backhand, and after match point     While their 1st serve percentages were almost identical (55% and 56%), Venus won a whopping 83% of her 1st serve points, while Ana won 61% of her 1st serve points. Venus won 44% of her receiving points; Ana: 26%. match stats     Venus said: "Obviously my first serve is a real weapon. So definitely I wanted to get my first serve percentage up today. It's just about being able to perform when it's most necessary, and obviously [Ana is] a very good player, really talented, and I know that it'll do me a lot of good to get that first serve... I think that she wanted to get the first hit against me. I don't think she wanted me to get my racquet on the ball. So I think that was a lot of pressure for her."     Ana said: "[Venus is] a great player, and serve was one of key things today because she was serving really well. On the other hand, I wasn't getting as many free points on my serve as I was hoping for. That put a lot of pressure on myself. I tried also to stay closer in when she was serving, tried to put more pressure and be more aggressive, but she just was serving great today." postmatch interview     In a quarterfinal on Wednesday, Venus will play 22-year-old 3rd-seeded # 3 Jelena Jankovic. Jelena leads Venus 3-2 in career matches, and has won their last three meetings--all in three sets. #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #38 Victoria Azarenka BLR 6-2, 6-3 Mon Svetlana twisting a serve Victoriaward, Victoria driving a backhand, Svetlana firing the forehand that won the 2004 US Open, and after winning a point     Svetlana said: "First set I think [Victoria] been doing so many unforced errors. I had to stay focused and don't let her chances like to get in the match, because from the start was very windy. I guess she was very nervous and she didn't know maybe how to control, so she was just missing all over the places.     "And in the second set, I knew I had to stay tough. I lost straightaway first game. I had chances to come back in second game. I lost it also. And then I said, 'Look, you just still have to play the same game to stay tough out there,' and this is what I did. I think I just raised my game better in second set, and she was playing better than the first one." postmatch interview #6 s6 Anna Chakvetadze RUS d #43 Tamira Paszek AUT 6-1, 7-5 Mon Anna serving, Tamira's backhand drive, Anna following a forehand, driving a backhand, and after match point     Anna said: "First two matches, I didn't have a tough opponent, but I didn't actually play well. And than I just felt better when I played against [Sania] Mirza, and also today I think I played good quality test. But a little bit I lost concentration because [Tamira] called the trainer, and I actually thought she was retired, because she didn't move that well in the first set. So I was like 90% sure that she will stop the match, that's why I lost my concentration totally. She started to play better. She had nothing to lose. Good that I came through that...     "I was so confident today because I knew that she is a junior, she will be nervous, and I just have more experience than her. But anyway, I think she's a good player and she will improve a lot." postmatch interview     postmatch interview video #9 s8 Serena Williams USA d #11 s10 Marion Bartoli FRA 6-3, 6-4 Sun Serena serving, Marion chasing a backhand, and Serena after match point     Serena put 75% of her 1st serves in the box, while firing 10 aces with only 1 double fault (Marion: 67%, 3 aces, 4 DFs). Serena also hit 32 winners (including the aces) with 22 unforced errors (Marion: 10 winners, 13 errors). match stats     Serena said: "I think the key was definitely being able to hold serve. [Marion] has a good return, and she was actually serving better, I thought today, than she had in maybe some [2007 Wimbledon matches], because I saw her play in Wimbledon. I thought her serves were much faster." postmatch interview     About her left thumb, which was sprained at Wimbledon, Serena said: "I don't have any pain when I hit a backhand at all. Not at all... I think it went away probably right during the tournament or when the tournament started..."     Marion said: "I think from the baseline I was fine. I was hitting the ball pretty well. I think my game from the baseline was really good... At 30-all at 5-4 in the second set, [Serena] served two aces. That's it, it's finished. When you play against somebody who serves like this, it's really hard to win the match...     "She's a great server. She can do every one: She can do the T, she can do the body, she can do the wide, she can do the key, she can do everything. So obviously you have to wait for your time... I break her in the first set, and I was not able to hold my serve twice, because [of] the wind and I have the sun right in front of me, so it was very tough for me it serve out on this side. Overall, my performance, I think I'm very happy." postmatch interview     In a quarterfinal on Tuesday evening at 7pm, Serena will play the 2003 US Open champion (and this year's French Open champ), 25-year-old top-seeded # 1 Justine Henin. Serena leads Justine 6-5 in career matches, but Justine has won their last two meetings: in this year's quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. #19 s18 Shahar Peer ISR d #32 s30 Agnieszka Radwanska POL 6-4, 6-1 Mon Shahar serving, Agnieszka's backhand, Shahar firing a forehand on the move, and after match point     Shahar said: "The first match I was not playing my tennis, and the second I was already playing aggressive, and the third one I had a tough one. Also today...     "I think I'm playing better and better every match. It's right, I was in the quarters in Australia. But I was playing different opponents, had tough rounds there also. I'm happy I'm reaching the quarters here. I just want to keep on." postmatch interview     Agnieszka said: "[Shahar] was playing very good today. Sometimes have to lose. Anyway, fourth round is good for me. First of all, I beat a No. 2 of this tournament. It was very close in the first set. In the second set, she was playing much better. I couldn't do my best...     I think it was also windy like yesterday and day before. I think she was playing very good. She used the wind. She's a very tough player. Also very good forehand, backhand, all sides. She not missing like easy balls. So tough player." postmatch interview #41 Agnes Szavay HUN d #48 Julia Vakulenko UKR 6-4, 7-6(1) Mon Agnes serving, Julia and Agnes driving backhands, and Agnes after match point     Agnes said: "It was really tough to play against [Julia] because she's playing so fast. You have no time for anything. And then when you get the chance, then you feel some pressure, that now you have to make it, because the next one is going to be just before the line, deep and fast." AP story     About the low back strain that caused her to retire from the New Haven final after winning the 1st set against Svetlana Kuznetsova (now her quarterfinal opponent), Agnes said: "Don't feel it at all... I had also treatment with the chiropractors and the physios here. They are really, really good. They put always this Kinesio tape on my back. It helps me a lot. It keeps it warm."

US Open, QFs, Tues-Wed Sep 4-5 loser's prize: $150,000 (2006: $140,000); points: 250 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #9 s8 Serena Williams USA 7-6(3), 6-1 Tue eve Serena serving up a cannonball, Justine driving a forehand, Serena's backhand drive, Justine's backhand volley, 9-time Grand Slam tourney singles champ (including the 1991 & 1992 US Opens) Monica Seles checking the scoreboard, Justine twisting a serve Serenaward, Serena following a forehand, Justine chopping a backhand on the fly, Justine after match point, and Serena congratulating Justine     Altough Justine put only 50% of her 1st serves in the box, and had 6 double faults (Serena: 56%, 1 DF), she hit 30 winners with only 22 unforced errors (Serena: 17 winners, 26 errors).     Although Serena's fastest serve was 124 mph (Justine: 117 mph), her average 1st serve speed--much more important--was 106 mph (Justine: 105 mph, practically the same). And Serena's average 2nd serve speed was only 84 mph (Justine: 90 mph).     Justine won 79% of her 1st serve points, coverted 3 of 8 break points, and scored on 11 of 14 trips to the net (Serena: 57%, 1 of 6, and 5 of 14). match stats     Justine said: "[In the 1st set] I was leading, but I wasn't dominating the points and the rallies. So I was a bit concerned during the first set because I wasn't aggressive enough.     "Then from the tiebreak until the end, I played unbelievable tennis. I've been aggressive like the No. 1 player in the world, you know, just trying to dictate the points. And it was very good. I'm very happy to beat her here in this stadium, in a great atmosphere. So that means a lot to me...     "I know how important is every point against Serena. And in the first set, you know, I was leading, and then I got so nervous to finish the match, 6‑4. Then this tiebreak. I played every point a hundred percent. Then after that I was just cruising to the end of the match.     "That game at 3-1 in the second set was so important, just to keep my serve at the time. And I'm very happy because, yeah, I was just in the court. I was playing so aggressive in every shot. That's the way I hope I can play all the time, but it's not so easy...     "If I'm too far from my baseline, if I don't move forward, I have no chance to win this kind of match... She loves to have the control of the rallies. She loves to be in the court. She doesn't like to be under pressure, especially on the forehand side. My serve was very good.     "The key was to be really aggressive on the return because she served great in her first few matches, but I think today she was feeling I was there on the return, and that was really important, too." postmatch interview     Serena said: "[In the 2nd set] I just think [Justine] played better. I just think she made a lot of lucky shots, and I made a lot of errors. I don't think my level dropped...     "I guess it is in a way, maybe my level did drop. I definitely made a lot of errors. I think she just played a little bit more aggressive and started hitting really, really hard balls." postmatch interview #13 s12 Venus Williams USA d #3 s3 Jelena Jankovic SRB 4-6, 6-1, 7-6(4) Wed Venus serving, Jelena and Venus driving forehands, and Jelena congratulating Venus after match point     Venus made 55 trips to the net, and scored on 39 of her net approaches (Jelena: 4 of 6). Venus hit 60 winners with 56 unforced errors (Jelena: 17 winners, 24 errors). match stats     Venus said: "Winning a match like this is good, especially in a Grand Slam. Just for it to go to the wire like that, I mean, the tiebreak went so well for me...     "I would have loved to have a couple breaks in the third set and cruised. [Jelena is] a very good competitor, and anyone has to play a lot of balls against her...     "I wanted to come in today. I got lobbed a few times. I got passed a few times. But ultimately I think it really made a difference because I was trying to move forward. I think it made a difference in the tiebreak, you know, on the last point, just charging down the line and coming in. It's worth it." postmatch interview     Jelena said: "I cannot do anything when she hits an unbelievable serve. I cannot return it. So why not give her credit and say, 'Well done, Venus.'     "But I was fighting there. I tried to do my best. I tried to win. I had a positive score [career record] against her. But today, tonight, it didn't go my way. A few points in the tiebreaker I made some unforced errors.     "But you have to take the loss and have to go on and have to learn from it and keep going." postmatch interview #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #41 Agnes Szavay HUN 6-1, 6-4 Wed Agnes serving, and Svetlana driving a backhand, Agnes driving a forehand, Svetlana following one, and after match point     Svetlana said: "I had so much energy out there today, and I thought I was nervous, but I could control it so good, and I'm really happy I played the way I played first set.     "Second set I had--I would say I could have made two breaks. One definitely where I had Love-30 and I made two errors, and then [Agnes] serve kind of good. But I think I should have win this game. And then I just made a break in the start of the set, and I just kept serving well, and I'm really happy to beat her 6-1, 6-4." postmatch interview - match report     Agnes said: "Well, I played this tournament not bad. I mean, I played good my matches. I made some mistake with the tactic [against Svetlana] and I couldn't play my best game, so last week was much better. I played too much to her forehand. I should play next time a little bit more to her backhand, especially when it's important point or when I'm attacking and going to the net. It's much better to attack to her backhand and then go to the net instead of the forehand." postmatch interview #6 s6 Anna Chakvetadze RUS d #19 s18 Shahar Peer ISR 6-4, 6-1 Wed Shahar serving a cannonball, and Anna spinning a forehand, driving a "nice, flat," backhand, and after match point     Anna said: "It was a fight to the end and I try to play smart... I'm trying to change the pace a lot... Today when I was in the rush a little bit from the beginning. I wanted to hit very hard. Wanted to blow Shahar from the court, but that's not the way how I'm playing. So I just had to play smart and not rush myself. Then I just started to do less mistakes, easy mistakes. And on the other side, also, I was aggressive, especially on the second set. That's why I think I won it so easy...     "A lot people compare me with Martina [Hingis]. I don't know... I never played like this when I was a junior. I was hitting really flat balls, and after that I couldn't just win a match. That's why I change it. I knew that needed to do something else, you know." postmatch interview - match report     Anna has been getting some training from Robert Lansdorp, who has also coached Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport, Anastasia Myskina, and Maria Sharapova. About Lansdorp, Anna said: "He helps me a lot. He changed my serve a little bit before Toronto. We had just few practices with him [in Los Angeles] and he did change my serve, and I think on this tournament I'm serving much better. So he helps me a lot. He gives me confidence, you know, and he's a great guy."     Shahar said: "I don't know what to tell you. [Anna is] a good player. She moves well and she put a lot of balls in the court. Like I said, one day you win and one day you lose. I just beat her in Indian Wells a few months ago so it's not that huge different. She's a good player like I was saying, but tennis is every day is a new day." postmatch interview

US Open, SFs, Fri Sep 7 CBS-TV loser's prize: $300,000 (2006: $280,000); points: 450 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #13 s12 Venus Williams USA 7-6(2), 6-4 Justine twisting a serve Venusward, Venus driving a backhand, Justine driving a forehand, Venus driving a forehand, Justine volleying a backhand, Justine after match point, very likely pointing to her longtime coach, Carlos Rodriguez, and Venus congratulating Justine after the match     Justine served, statistically, about as well as Venus, who is about 7 inches taller. Both put 59% of their 1st serves in the box. Justine's fastest serve was 117 mph, her average 1st 106 mph, and her average 2nd 90 mph (Venus: 122 mph fastest, 108 mph average 1st, and 88 mph average 2nd). Justine won 66% of her 1st serve points, and 62% of her 2nd serve points; Venus won 60% of her 1st serve points, and only 39% of her 2nd serve points. Justine hit 29 winners with only 22 unforced errors; Venus hit 26 winners, with 35 unforced errors. match stats - BBC game-by-game     Justine said: "I was playing unbelievable. But the fact is that against this kind of player you know that every point is so much important. As soon as you give just a little bit, they come back in the match very strong. Yeah, it was tough. The end of the first set was great tennis. It was high quality, and I played very well in the tiebreak...     "Then I was leading 3-Love in the second set, but Venus played well to break back. And then at 5-3 I did my best, but I was just trying to play every point hundred percent.     "Venus gave her best, too. I think it was a very good match. I'm happy about this one." postmatch interview     Venus called for the trainer during the 2nd set. Venus said: "I just was feeling dizzy, a little sick to the stomach. Was just having some energy problems. I'm not really sure what's wrong with me. But, you know, credit to [Justine] for playing well... She always plays well... Whether it's today or any other day, she always plays a solid game. Definitely credit to her...     "I tried my best today. I'm very disappointed, obviously. I don't feel the way I would feel if I had just played awfully and given it away. I just feel like I was fighting some circumstances that I couldn't conquer. This is sports." postmatch interview     When it was pointed out that Venus had experienced some dizziness during the match, Justine said: "I'm surprised... I had the feeling we were both fighting a lot. I mean, I had some breathing problems for a couple of months, but much more the last two, three days. I saw the doctor also. I could say I wasn't hundred percent, but I was fighting on every point with my qualities today. She probably did the same. I think it was just a good match." #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS d #6 s6 Anna Chakvetadze RUS 3-6, 6-1, 6-1 Svetlana firing a cannonball serve, Anna fielding one on the fly, Svetlana's backhand drive Anna and Svetlana driving forehands, Svetlana after match point, and Anna congratulating, Svetlana consoling after the match     Svetlana made 64% of her 1st serves good, Anna, 54%. Svetlana's fastest serve was 111 mph, her average 1st 95 mph, and her average 2nd 80 mph (Anna: 106 mph fastest, 95 mph average 1st, and 81 mph average 2nd). Svetlana won 54% of her 1st serve points, and 55% of her 2nd serve points; Anna only won 42% of her 1st serve points, and 39% of her 2nd serve points. The match was rather sloppy; Svetlana hit 19 winners with 35 unforced errors; Anna hit 12 winners, with 46 unforced errors. match stats - BBC game-by-game     About coming from behind to win, Svetlana said: "It was not the best match I've played, but it was also great challenge to me. You know, I was talking to myself, say, 'Look, it's your challenge. You're losing, but you know you can do it, you know you can play better. You know if you do good basically you have to win. It's your challenge. You take it or you don't.' So I did, and I'm really proud of my effort today." postmatch interview     Anna was very upset with her level of play. Anna said: "I just played horrible. I didn't expect it will be such a turnaround after this first set. You know, just couldn't put the ball in the court. It's very disappointing match for me. I didn't know what did I do, you know. It was very tough condition because it was very windy. I just couldn't handle with that wind. But I'm very disappointed the way I played today. I didn't want to just win in straight sets or something like that, but at least play at least maybe more than 50% that I can. But that didn't happen." postmatch interview

US Open, Final, Sat Sep 8 7pm CBS-TV loser's prize: $700,000 (2006: $600,000); points: 700 winner's prize: $1,400,000 (2006: $1,200,000); points: 1000 #1 s1 Justine Henin BEL d #5 s5 Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS 6-1, 6-3 Justine serving, Svetlana following a backhand, Justine running down a forehand, Svetlana delivering a serve, Justine after lightly tapping a forehand, Svetlana driving one, Justine's backhand, and after match point

US Open, Qualifying Finals Fri-Sat Aug 24-25 11am-2pm Q1st loser's prize: $3,000 (2006: $3,000); 2 points Q2nd loser's prize: $5,625 (2006: $5,625); 15 points Qfinal loser's prize: $8,000 (2006: $8,000); 25 points #78 Zi Yan CHN d #219 Sunitha Rao IND 6-4, 6-4 Fri #97 Alize Cornet FRA d #192 Regina Kulikova RUS 6-3, 6-3 Sat *#142 Julia Goerges GER d #105 Anne Kremer LUX 6-3, 6-4 Sat #107 Pauline Parmentier FRA d #177 Viktoriya Kutuzova UKR 3-6, 6-2, 7-6(4) Sat #111 Emmanuelle Gagliardi SUI d #162 Marina Erakovic NZL 7-6(5), 6-3 Fri #115 Sandra Kloesel GER d #220 Naomi Cavaday GBR 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 Fri #116 Jorgelina Cravero ARG d #133 Melinda Czink HUN 6-3, 6-4 Sat *#157 Ekaterina Makarova RUS d #118 Stephanie Foretz FRA 6-2, 6-1 Sat #119 Renata Voracova CZE d #158 Julie Ditty USA 6-3, 6-2 Fri *#132 Tsvetana Pironkova BUL d #120 Stephanie Dubois CAN 7-6(5), 1-6, 6-2 Fri *#160 Alina Jidkova RUS d #123 Su-Wei Hsieh TPE 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(4) Fri #124 Andreja Klepac SLO d #159 Margalita Chakhnashvili GEO 6-4, 6-4 Sat #129 Petra Cetkovska CZE d #151 Anne Keothavong GBR 6-3, 3-0 retired Sat #139 Kira Nagy HUN d #210 Natalie Grandin RSA 7-6(6), 6-4 Sat *#168 Olivia Sanchez FRA d #149 Evgeniya Rodina RUS 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 Fri #161 Tatiana Perebiynis UKR d #181 Raquel Kops-Jones USA 7-6(3), 6-3 Fri US Open, Doubles Final, Sun Sep 9 loser's prize: $200,000 (2006: $200,000) winner's prize: $400,000 (2006: $400,000) *cdr34 s7 Nathalie Dechy & Dinara Safina d cdr20 s5 Yung-Jan Chan & Chia-Jung Chuang 6-4, 6-2 Nathalie and Dinara     It was Nathalie's fourth WTA doubles title and Dinara's sixth. Nathalie and Vera Zvonareva defeated Dinara and Katarina Srebotnik in the 2006 US Open final; Nathalie also won the French Open mixed doubles this year with Andy Ram, making this her third Grand Slam title. It is Dinara's first Grand Slam title. US Open, Mixed Doubles Final, Thu Sep 6 loser's prize: $70,000 (2006: $70,000) winner's prize: $150,000 (2006: $150,000) *d57 Victoria Azarenka BLR & d7 Max Mirnyi BLR d d18 Meghann Shaughnessy USA & d8 Leander Paes IND 6-4, 7-6(6) Victoria Azarenka & Max Mirnyi US Open, Girls Singles Final, Sun Sept 9 *wta#594 Kristina Kucova SVK d s2 wta#543 Urszula Radwanska POL 6-3, 1-6, 7-6(4) Kristina following a backhand during the final, and with the glassware afterward right-handed, Kristina plays on both sides with the 2-handed backhand grip (left hand on top), as do Marion Bartoli and Zi Yan US Open, Girls Doubles Final, Sat Sept 8 s2 Ksenia Milevskaya BLR & Urszula Radwanska POL d s3 Oksana Kalashnikova GEO & Ksenia Lykina RUS 6-1, 6-2 Oksana Kalashnikova & Ksenia Lykina, and Ksenia Milevskaya & Urszula Radwanska US Open, Withdrawals/Non-entries #7 Amelie Mauresmo FRA recovering from appendectomy early this year #21 Na Li CHN rib injury #53 Milagros Sequera VEN #101 Vasilisa Bardina RUS #131 Jie Zheng CHN ankle injury

  2007 US Open Series

"The USTA will offer up to an additional $2.6 million in bonus prize money at the US Open to the top three men’s and top three women’s singles finishers in the US Open Series... the six-week summer tennis season linking 10 major ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments to the US Open." US Open champions will win a $1 million bonus if they won the US Open Series, and thus receive a $2.4 million prize.

2007 US Open Series Final Standings:
1st: Maria Sharapova will receive a bonus of $40,000 added to her $43,000 prize
2nd: Jelena Jankovic will receive a bonus of $62,500 added to her $150,000 prize
3rd: Patty Schnyder will receive a bonus of $10,000 added to her $43,000 prize
Justine Henin was 3rd in points, but played in only 1 event--2 events are required

The 64 doubles teams, arranged in drawsheet order; teams in red have been eliminated:
TOP HALF s1 Cara Black ZIM & Liezel Huber USA R2 Jill Craybas USA & Laura Granville USA R1 Alexa Glatch USA & Abigail Spears USA R1 Maria Elena Camerin ITA & Gisela Dulko ARG R3 Klaudia Jans POL & Alicja Rosolska POL R2 Sara Anundsen USA & Jenna Long USA R1 Martina Muller GER & Gabriela Navratilova CZE R1 s13 Corina Morariu & Meghann Shaughnessy USA QF s10 Shuai Peng CHN & Zi Yan CHN R2 Edina Gallovits ROU & Lilia Osterloh USA R1 Sybille Bammer AUT & Tamira Paszek AUT R1 Daniela Hantuchova SVK & Martina Hingis SUI R3 Rika Fujiwara JPN & Aiko Nakamura JPN R2 Stephanie Cohen-Aloro FRA & Virginie Razzano FRA R1 Olga Govortsova BLR & Olga Poutchkova RUS R1 s6 Kveta Peschke CZE & Rennae Stubbs AUS SF s3 Katarina Srebotnik SLO & Ai Sugiyama JPN QF Chunmei Ji CHN & Shengnan Sun CHN R1 Michaella Krajicek NED & Agnieszka Radwanska POL R2 Lucie Hradecka CZE & Renata Voracova CZE R1 Casey Dellacqua AUS & Nicole Pratt AUS R2 Hilary Barte USA & Alexandra Mueller USA R1 Angela Haynes USA & Ahsha Rolle USA R1 s15 Vania King USA & Emilie Loit FRA R3 s12 Tathiana Garbin ITA & Shahar Peer ISR R3 Natalie Grandin RSA & Klara Zakopalova CZE R1 Su-Wei Hsieh TPE & Alla Kudryavtseva RUS R1 Tatiana Poutchek BLR & Tamarine Tanasugarn THA R2 Janette Husarova SVK & Patty Schnyder SUI R2 Mariya Koryttseva UKR & Aravane Rezai FRA R1 Karin Knapp ITA & Francesca Schiavone ITA R1 s7 Nathalie Dechy FRA & Dinara Safina RUS		BOTTOM HALF s8 Elena Likhovtseva RUS & Tiantian Sun CHN R1 Ashley Harkleroad USA & Vera Zvonareva RUS R2 walkover Stephanie Foretz FRA & Yaroslava Shvedova RUS QF Madison Brengle USA & Ashley Weinhold USA R1 Iveta Benesova CZE & Galina Voskoboeva RUS R2 Dominika Cibulkova SVK & Camille Pin FRA R1 Akiko Morigami JPN & Meilen Tu USA R3 s11 Maria Kirilenko RUS & Elena Vesnina RUS R1 s14 Agnes Szavay HUN & Vladimira Uhlirova CZE SF Liga Dekmeijere LAT & Julia Vakulenko UKR R1 Petra Cetkovska CZE & Lucie Safarova CZE R1 Eleni Daniilidou GRE & Jasmin Woehr GER R2 Paola Suarez ARG & Roberta Vinci ITA R1 Marta Marrero ESP & Selima Sfar TUN R2 Lourdes Dominguez Lino ESP & Arantxa Parra Santonja ESP R1 s4 Alicia Molik AUS & Mara Santangelo ITA R3 s5 Yung-Jan Chan TPE & Chia-Jung Chuang TPE F Jamie Hampton USA & Melanie Oudin USA R1 Alona Bondarenko UKR & Kateryna Bondarenko UKR R2 Yuliana Fedak UKR & Kaia Kanepi EST R1 Vera Dushevina RUS & Tatiana Perebiynis UKR R2 Victoria Azarenka BLR & Anna Chakvetadze RUS R1 Jelena Kostanic Tosic CRO & Barbora Zahlavova Strycova CZE R1 s9 Anabel Medina Garrigues ESP & Virginia Ruano Pascual ESP R3 s16 Bethanie Mattek USA & Sania Mirza IND QF Severine Bremond FRA & Jelena Jankovic SRB R1 Jarmila Gajdosova SVK & Bryanne Stewart AUS R2 Angelique Kerber GER & Yvonne Meusburger AUT R1 Elena Dementieva RUS & Flavia Pennetta ITA R2 Emma Laine FIN & Caroline Wozniacki DEN R1 Andreea Ehritt-Vanc ROU & Anastasia Rodionova RUS R1 s2 Lisa Raymond USA & Samantha Stosur AUS R3

late doubles withdrawals: Nadia Petrova RUS & Nicole Vaidisova CZE; Jamea Jackson USA & Chanda Rubin USA

Paola after her last match

31-year-old former doubles # 1 and singles # 9 Paola Suarez from Munro, Argentina, retired on September 1, 2007.     Paola played in 1280 professional matches (singles and doubles), with a won-loss record of 371-239 in singles and 497-179 in doubles. She won 4 WTA and 12 ITF singles titles, and 44 WTA and 7 ITF doubles titles. Paola won $5,134,785 in prize money during her 13½-year career.     Eight of Paola's doubles titles were Grand Slam titles, all with Virginia Ruano Pascual of Spain as her partner.     About playing with "Vivi," Paola said: "We had some really nice moments and we'll always have good memories. We had a great time on the court, laughing all the time and having fun. That was the key to our partnership. And we're friends as well. Virginia was important for my career and in my memories of tennis." WTA story

2007 US Open interview transcript archive at ASAP Sports

    (Aug 17, 2007) US Open wildcard entries: NCAA singles champion Audra Cohen, Jamea Jackson, Lauren Albanese, Madison Brengle, Alexa Glatch, Ahsha Rolle, 2007 USTA Girls' 18s champion Ashley Weinhold, and Australian Jessica Moore.

    (Aug 17, 2007) US Open withdrawals: # 7 Amelie Mauresmo (not fully recovered from an appendectomy early this year) and #21 Na Li (rib injury incurred at Birmingham in June during a coughing fit resulting from a pollen allergy, reinjured in early August) have both withdrawn from the 2007 US Open. Amelie said: "I need to take time off to recapture my desire to play and to be at my best level. I have still not resumed playing in training and under such conditions, taking part in the US Open with a chance of winning is not possible." Reuters story


See also: QuickShop: Sporting Goods - Martina Hingis - Anna Kournikova

Current WTA Results & Tennis News (tennis home page) - 2007 WTA Schedule with links & photos

Link to hundreds of postmatch interview videos of WTA players at the 2007 WTA Player Interviews page.

WTA PhotoRankings: the current top 20 Women's Tennis rankings with player photos, links, and bio info.