US Open Semifinal Preview: Amelie vs. Maria
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Sep 7, 2006 | Print
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This is the semifinal showdown that will have everyone talking as world number one Amelie Mauresmo takes on tennis superstar Maria Sharapova for a spot in the US Open final. Here is a quick preview of tomorrow’s match.
Post your thoughts on tomorrow’s match in the comments below!
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momofan | Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Hi Aaress. I’m nervous, to say the least. Maria will want revenge for Wimbledon and while grass is both girls’ best surface, hardcourt is a whole ‘nother story. That said,
ALLEZ AMELIE! (and wear earplugs baby girl).
Oh, funny story: I was watching the Sharapova-Golovin match on YouTube this morning and my roommate walks in and hears Maria shrieking so she imitates her shrieking. It was hilarious. Then, my roommate turns to me and goes, “Is she getting some or playing?” LOL! Seriously, it is ridiculous. My roommate doesn’t know the *first* thing about tennis and could identify how bad it was for the opponent to have to listen to that shrieking.
Aaress | Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Words cannot even express how difficult it is to pay attention while watching Maria shriek her way around the court.
That was the one drawback of watching her live at the Open - no way to turn the volume down!!!!
So Momofan, what do you think - straights for Amelie, three for Maria, or vice versa?
momofan | Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Sorry Aaress, I don’t jinx my baby girl like that, but I will say this:
Amelie surprised me, firstly by beating Serena (I thought she’d be gone in two), and secondly by making it to the SF of the Open for the first time since ‘02 (and only the second time in her career) after a not-so-stellar summer. Upon seeing the draw, I thought there was no way in HECK she was making it out of the fourth round alive but I gotta say the woman keeps impressing me, and I have been a fan for awhile now. 2006 has been a great year to be a momofan…and I’m sure Amelie realizes it’s been a great year to be her, too! So I’m just confident she’ll bring her best to the table tomorrow (that’s all I ask really as a dedicated fan) and you KNOW I’ll be watching! (provided classes don’t interfere).
I will also say that Amelie will need to serve well tomorrow and move Maria around. This will be the trick: using her spins and angles to keep Sharapova running from side-to-side and then COMING TO NET. She is seriously so beautiful and so EFFECTIVE at net!! Go to net!! Do it for me, Amelie baby!
sapphisto | Sep 7, 2006 | Reply
Agreed - Amelie needs to serve well.
She’s been using the first 5 rounds to “warm up” for this - and I think she’s been doing that quite effectively. Her game has steadily improved since New Haven, and she’s pretty much back to match fitness. The serve is the only thing that was still looking rusty - let’s hope that’s going to be smooth for her tomorrow.
ALLEZ AMELIE!!!!
(And isn’t it so darn hot that she’s so relaxed and confident?! Youza!!)
Aaress | Sep 8, 2006 | Reply
Well, Amelie is not the only one suffering with serve problems.
Maria had the hardest time holding serve early on in her match against Golovin, and it will be interesting to see if she’s improved, especially as Mauresmo is a much better returner than Tatiana.
momofan | Sep 8, 2006 | Reply
I am nervous Aaress. Comfort me. I have faith in my girl, to be sure, but I don’t want to be over-confident. I hope she starts out strong; no more “slow starts” please!
ALLEZ AMELIE!
Nexty | Sep 8, 2006 | Reply
don’t have the time to say any thing guys but I just tell you : AME FOR A 3rd SLAM
Aaress | Sep 8, 2006 | Reply
Oh Momofan - hang in there - 6-0 Sharapova - - - who could have guessed that!