Comments on: Six Tennis Players Who Need To Step Up Their Games At the US Open

By: Susan

Susan — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 12:26:41 +0000

What has happened to Carla Suarez Navarro? I thoroughly enjoyed watching her at the Aussie Open and felt like she had the “gumpshion” to take the year. Where is she? Instead of excelling she has declined rapidly. Anyone out there a CSN follower also?

By: carlac

carlac — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:43:00 +0000

Sveta should be on this list too. She squandered a nice lead to mauresmo who took the gift at Pilot Pen. What is with these “pros” who are a bundle of raw nerves?

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:57:37 +0000

Anythingbutlove,

I agree that Safina’s game is not as good as one would hope it to be, but I’m not sure she’s getting outplayed in finals. She played terrible tennis against Kuznetsova in Paris, and just recently against Jankovic in Cincy. Yes, both of her opponents played well, but nothing spectacular. I would be tempted to concur with you if she had lost to say Venus or Serena, but JJ and Sveta are hardly picture models of consistency! :)

Certainly, Safina does need to broaden her skill set. None of the other top players are scared of facing her, least of all the ones she keeps losing to in big matches.

By: Kurt

Kurt — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:06:59 +0000

WHAT has happened to Vaidisova??? Once so promising…

By: Andrew Broad

Andrew Broad — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:31:44 +0000

Sadly it /is/ too late for Nicole Vaidišová this year, but I have seven players whom I’d like to step up their games at the US Open:

* Maria Sharapova
* Vera Zvonarëva
* Daniela Hantuchová
* Lucie Šafárová
* Magdaléna Rybáriková
* Anna Chakvetadze
* Jelena Dokic

By: anythingbutlove

anythingbutlove — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:19:53 +0000

I don’t think Safina is being held back by fear or mental issues, so Aaress I respectfully disagree. I think Safina has just been getting outplayed in a number of finals.

Those who appear to have been held back from fulfilling their potential, due to fear and anxiety issues are, most notably, Dementieva and Mauresmo. Dementieva now seems to be rounding a corner and asserting herself on the sport. Still, occasionally, nerves will cause her serve to be unsteady and will result in her taking herself out of big points.

Safina, by contrast, may *CURRENTLY* only be just good enough to beat the majority of girls while still struggling against the top 5. I’m not saying Safina’s talent level has hit the ceiling, however, it’s easy to look at Safina and wonder what’s holding her back while losing sight of the pressing question: what adjustments does Safina need to make in order to broaden her skill set, become less predictable (to the top 5 girls), and to advance?

By: Aaress Lawless

Aaress Lawless — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 21:23:31 +0000

We can scratch Vaidisova from the list as she goes down in the first round of qualifying. Oh well, there’s always Oz . . .

By: Twitter: @MiamiTennisNews

Twitter: @MiamiTennisNews — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:43:02 +0000

Great analysis on the players that need to step up their games at the US Open. Completely agree!!

By: Twitter: @burdzelkrai

Twitter: @burdzelkrai — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:03:43 +0000

Interesting! I think Svetta & Caroline might fit there too (what HAS SK done since RG?). Maybe last chance for Elena D too…