Rafael Nadal News

“But I feel like I’m doing better, which is important.”

When you hear about Serena and Venus Williams overpowering opponents, as happened Sunday at the U.S. Open to two recent Grand Slam finalists, it’s easy to forget that the sisters are, indeed, individuals.

And as similar as their on-court styles might seem, all stinging serves and gargantuan groundstrokes, they are not quite carbon copies.

That point was driven home by their father and coach, Richard, who sat courtside for the final game of Serena’s 6-3, 6-4 victory over Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli, then watched Venus’ 6-4, 6-2 win against French Open runner-up Ana Ivanovic. Read more

The U.S. beat Argentina 118-81 to win the FIBA Americas basketball tournament, one day after both earned spots in the 2008 Beijing Olympics by reaching the final. via Bloomberg

“Just had 2.85 on Williams! I’ll get a fiver if she wins. COME ON!!”

COME ON!!” V Williams 5-4 Ivanovic Ivanovic’s fourth double fault holds her up but she smacks a forehand cross-court and Venus will have to serve this out. via BBC

“My biggest thing with playing matches versus not playing matches is if you’re risking long-term _ if it’s going to affect you longer than just that day or a week or two down the road.”

As a kid, Andy Roddick was hard-pressed to come up with a better birthday treat than going to the U.S. Open with his mom. At 9, he was thrilled to be on the scene while Jimmy Connors made a stirring run to the semifinals.

‘I’d get here for the first match, and I wouldn’t leave till it was over. Those are probably my fondest memories, just sneaking into the nosebleed sections,’ Roddick recalled Thursday. ‘I actually snuck into the players’ lounge one time and stole a cheesecake.’

He still comes to Flushing Meadows at birthday time, nowadays as a competitor _ and with a certain James Scott Connors tagging along as his coach. Read more

More big names are set to play at the U.S. Open Wednesday, with top seeds Roger Federer and Justine Henin, Rafael Nadal and the Williams sisters on the schedule.

Yesterday, it didn’t take Maria Sharapova very long to work her way into the second round. The second seed and defending women’s champ needed just 50 minutes to complete a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Roberta Vinci under the lights at the Billy Jean King National Tennis Center.

Men’s fifth seed Andy Roddick followed Sharapova on stadium court and cruised to a 7-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Justin Gimmelstob, who is retiring. Read more

Come on, now. Be fair. Things aren’t really all that bad. The United States does have two players in the top 10, don’t forget. via Tennis

“I would pick Rafael Nadal. Yep, I pick him”

Silly as it sounds nowadays, there was a time when some in the tennis world wondered whether Roger Federer was equipped to handle the U.S. Open. via KARE-TV Minneapolis

“A year later I feel like I made a lot of progress with Jimmy but I feel like we’re still building and working towards something”

Roger Federer has four straight titles in his sights at Flushing Meadow. Roger Federer will chase a fourth successive US Open title next week in his ongoing quest to become the best male player of all time. via Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Three-time defending champion Roger Federer was seeded No. 1 at the U.S. Open for the fourth consecutive year, and Justine Henin topped the women’s seedings yesterday. via London Free Press

Published 8/17/07 in The Times-Herald Sports column by Tony Jones tony@newnan.com The countdown can officially start. via Times-Herald