US Open Preview: Day Two

Published by Aaress Lawless on Aug 25, 2008 | Print |

Venus and Serena Williams launch their 2008 US Open campaigns on Tuesday as the top half of the draw heads for the courts in Flushing Meadows.

A quartet of Frenchwomen merit watching on day two, including former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo.

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The US Open

Venus and Serena Williams launch their 2008 US Open campaigns on Tuesday as the top half of the draw heads for the courts in Flushing Meadows.

A quartet of Frenchwomen merit watching on day two, including former world No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo.

Aaress’ Picks for Tuesday

Nathalie Dechy (FRA) v. Amelie Mauresmo (FRA)[32]
The last eighteen months are full of forgettable memories for Amelie Mauresmo. The French star has yet to regain her form after she suffered an acute case of appendicitis in 2007. But over the last two weeks, Mauresmo has appeared to turn a corner with two consecutive semifinal finishes at Cincinnati and New Haven.

The woman who halted Mauresmo’s run in Cincinnati will be bidding to stop her in the first round of the US Open. Nathalie Dechy is a countrywoman and friend of the 2006 Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, and Dechy’s crafty game is far better than her current ranking of No. 86.
Prediction: Amelie Mauresmo in 3 sets

Samantha Stosur (AUS) v. Venus Williams (USA)[7]
Venus Williams has never lost in the first round of the US Open, but this could be one of the toughest first round matches of her career. While Samantha Stosur is best known for her stellar doubles results, she once reached a career-high of No. 27 in singles. Stosur’s comeback from Lyme’s disease in May was inspirational and although she is a bit rusty, her net game is dangerous enough to give Venus Williams a few tough games.
Prediction: Venus Williams in 2 close sets.

Camille Pin (FRA) v. Alize Cornet (FRA)[17]
If you are scouting out future talent to watch in tennis, take a look at Alize Cornet. She has rocketed up the WTA Tour rankings in 2008 and is currently at No. 17. Her six semifinal or higher finishes this season are enough to make many top professionals envious.

Like Mauresmo and Dechy, this is an all-French meeting. Camille Pin has a powder-puff serve—something Cornet can easily exploit on these fast hard courts.
Prediction: Alize Cornet in 2 sets.

She Said What?

Lindsay Davenport on her history at the US Open:
“I started out here. The first year I got a wildcard into the main draw and I had played in the juniors before thinking that I was way out of my league and that I was just so fortunate to be able to walk on the grounds and that I can’t believe the USTA let me have a wildcard and I’ll never forget this day.

To, you know, obviously becoming a champion of it to then becoming a player with really good results and now coming back as a mom and as a former No. 1 and the champion, I mean it’s just all overwhelming. I’ve always said that I never thought when I was growing up and playing that I would ever be in a champion?like position.

So to look back, I mean, to go back year by year, I mean, I changed so much each year, and it was such a learning process for me to get to the point in ‘98 where I actually thought I could win.

When I did prevail, took a lot of years to get there.”