US Open Preview: Day Six

Third round action continues on Saturday at the US Open as the last two Americans in the draw aim to reach the round of sixteen.

Venus and Serena Williams will headline day six in Flushing Meadows, along with Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo.

Aaress’ Picks for Saturday

Serena Williams (USA)[4] vs. Ai Sugiyama (JPN)[30]
Grand Slam success may be Serena Williams’ strong suit, but experience and longevity is clearly in Sugiyama’s corner. The Japanese veteran is competing in her 58th consecutive major—the longest streak in both male and female professional tennis.

At the age of thirty-three, Sugiyama is still going strong in singles and doubles, but her game is not powerful enough to stop Serena Williams. Ai is fast and fit, but Serena is improving with every round and has yet to hit more than thirteen unforced errors per match.
Prediction: Serena Williams in two sets.

Alona Bondarenko (UKR)[27] vs. Venus Williams (USA)[7]
Call this the Bondarenko revenge match, part two. Venus and Serena Williams destroyed Alona and Kateryna Bondarenko’s gold medal dreams in Beijing, only to face both of them a few days later in New York.

Serena handily defeated Kateryna 6-1, 6-4 in the first round, but now it is Venus’ chance to score her second win in less than two weeks. Alona is far more experienced than her younger sister and is more than capable of giving Venus Williams a tough match if she can stay focused and calm.
Prediction: Venus Williams in two sets.

Please go here for Saturday’s complete schedule of play.

She Said What?

Jelena Jankovic when asked if she thinks about her post-match press conferences during her matches:
“You think when I’m playing a match I’m thinking about what I’m going to say to you guys?

I’m thinking, what are they going to tell me? Because I had like five match points and I haven’t made them. What are they going to tell me? Of course not.”

What Else is Happening in Flushing Meadows?

The US Open Shop
The US Open is giving away game-used balls with purchases over $75.00.

Upsets Aplenty in Doubles First Round
Two of the top three doubles teams were beaten in the opening round at the US Open.

USA Television Schedule for Saturday

All times are Eastern.

Third Round - CBS - 11:00 am - 6:00 pm
Third Round - USA - 7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Don’t forget to enter On the Baseline’s Pick the Winner’s contest! The entry deadline for Saturday’s featured match is 10:00 am ET.