US Open: Day Five Preview

1. Sad Day at the Open
While it was a big day on Thursday for a few players who scored some of the biggest wins of their careers, it was a sad day for others in the US Open locker room. Sloane Stephens, who played doubles yesterday with Mashona Washington, lost her father in a car accident on Wednesday and Jelena Jankovic competed while grieving the loss of her grandmother.

2. Get Out Your Calendars for 2010
The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour officially unveiled its 2010 calendar on Thursday. Next year’s calendar includes three new events, with 53 overall tournaments in 32 countries.

3. Old Grudge Revisited
On paper, the meeting between Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Serena Williams looks like a one-sided, business as usual affair. However, it holds a little extra meaning for both players, especially Serena.

Their last meeting at the French Open caused fireworks as Williams accused Martinez Sanchez of cheating when she failed to speak up after a ball allegedly her body. Serena has not forgotten and still believes that the ball really did hit strike her, which should have resulted in an automatic loss of a point in a very crucial game.

4. New Fans for Melanie
Melanie Oudin gave American fans a new shot of hope for the future of tennis in the United States when she outlasted Elena Dementieva for the biggest win of her career on Thursday. For more info on Oudin, please visit ZooTennis.

5. Tennis, Meet the iPhone
iPhone users, your 2009 US Open experience will not be complete without the USTA’s official new iPhone application. This handy program, available in the iTunes Store, gives you access to live scoring, news, US Open Radio, on-demand video and much more!

6. Clash of the Belgians
Only three Belgians were entered into the main draw of the US Open, and as luck would have it, two of them are slated to face each other for a spot in the round of sixteen. Close friends and countrywomen Kirsten Flipkens and Kim Clijsters are scheduled for the fourth match of the day in Louis Armstrong Stadium.

7. Nothing Like a Little Sisterly Affection
Serena Williams knows better than anyone does how powerful her sister serves a tennis ball, but on Thursday, she had the dubious pleasure of feeling it firsthand. During their doubles match, Venus accidentally served an 81-mph second serve right into the shoulder of her sister on Wednesday.

8. Follow Friday on Twitter
Don’t miss any of the action at the 2009 US Open by following the tournament on Twitter. You can have on-demand updates sent to your computer or phone by taking just five minutes to sign up at www.twitter.com. Once you sign up, be sure to follow @usopen, @SonyEricssonWTA, @NYTStraightSets, @jonstennistweet, @Bonnie_D_Ford, and of course, @OnTheBaseline!

9. Friday’s Matches of the Day
Aleksandra Wozniak vs. Flavia Pennetta might be the best match of the day as both women have been playing very solid tennis over the past few rounds. Victoria Azarenka could possibly face a challenge against Francesca Schiavone, but I favor Azarenka on hard courts more than the clay-loving Schiavone. Also, don’t miss the all-Belgian encounter or Serena Williams’ rematch against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez.

10. Question of the Day
Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic will end yet another WTA Tour season without winning an elusive first major title. Is it too late for either of them? On the other hand, which woman do you think will win a Grand Slam first?

On the Baseline’s live coverage of the 2009 US Open is brought to you by Grand Slam Tennis Tours.