Two Scintillating Scenarios

By Sandra Harwitt


Hello, tennis fans!

This blog could be brief as it’s been a busy day. On the other hand, as many of my editors can tell you, I’ve never been accused of being at a loss for an extra word or two.

So here it goes.

We have a couple of interesting scenarios that have arisen as an outgrowth from this U.S. Open.

Scenario One:

There are NO Russian women into the U.S. Open quarterfinal.

Svetlana Kuznetsova was the last possibility to keep the Russian trend of hanging around until deep into a Grand Slam alive.

Teen sensation Caroline Wozniacki, seeded No. 9 here, took care of that when she took out the sixth-seeded Kuznetsova 2-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (3) in the fourth round on Monday night.

This is big news as it’s been quite a while since a Russian hasn’t adorned at least a Grand Slam quarterfinal – 29 consecutive Slams, in fact, dating back to the 2002 French Open.

Does this mean the Russian Revolution is over in women’s tennis?

I wouldn’t think so. I’d bet with the breadth of their talent someone from their ranks will fly the flag deep into the Slams next year. Will they win Grand Slam titles – maybe, maybe not? But they have the talent to always be factors in the outcome at a major for the near future.

However, I do have some concerns.

Elena Dementieva just doesn’t seem capable of winning a Grand Slam even when she’s set up well to do well. But she does have Olympic gold from Beijing, so she will have something special to look at and show the grandchildren.

Maria Sharapova just doesn’t seem able to find a serve that works as I discussed in an earlier blog during the Open. She will need to work around her shoulder issue and find an effective serve or her Grand Slam titles count will end with the three she’s already won.

Svetlana Kuznetsova had a hiccup here, but she’s feisty and she did take home the French Open trophy this year, so she should be feeling good going into the closing weeks of the season.

And what more can I say about Dinara Safina but she should be using this break for a much needed break from the game and try to calm down and just play her game.

Scenario Two:

There are NO American men into the quarterfinals. NONE!

If you don’t think this is significant try relying on history to put it in perspective. The last time there wasn’t at least one Yank into the men’s quarterfinals at the U.S Open or its predecessor, the U.S. National, was NEVER! And NEVER goes back a long time – to the first U.S. National in 1881.

I guess the positive way to view this occurrence is to assume it’s an aberration that won’t happen again for another 128 years.

The not so positive way to look at this scenario is that our better players are getting older, our younger players are showing some promise, but are unlikely to be solid top 10 stars. So the question begs asking – Where do we find our next generation of contenders?

Don’t get me wrong in that I’m not writing off Andy Roddick. It was surprising he fell so early this year, especially after his dramatic final showing at Wimbledon. He is still a solid top 10 player and should be for another few years. But his closest colleagues don’t have that advantage – James Blake had his stint in the top 10 and he isn’t showing the kind of stuff that would make you think he’s headed back in that direction. Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri have had nice careers but they aren’t about to burst out as late blooming superstars.

As for a thought or two on a few of the new guys in town:

Sam Querrey: I like Sam and I especially like the way he thinks outside the box (Check out my article on the investment club Sam made himself into under my espn.com/tennis archives – the piece ran in March). But even with Sam’s impressive results this summer I just don’t see him as a solid and consistent top 10 kind of guy. There’s just not enough backing up the serve and his height restricts his court movement, although he’s pretty speedy for a tall dude.

John Isner: Kudos to John for taking out Roddick, but he also is hindered by his height and he has not proven himself to be consistent in his results. He’ll have a good win, but then too many iffy results.

Jesse Levine: I like Jesse’s scrappiness and being shorter enables him to scamper around the court at ease. But he has a hard time dealing with the power of his taller colleagues. In the men’s game it’s going to be tough to reach Grand Slam finals the way that Michael Chang did with the brawn of the guys, and the technologically off-the-chart rackets and strings.

U.S. Open History For September 8, 2009

In 1968, Virginia Wade pulls off the big upset over Billie Jean King to become the first women’s champion in the Open Era.

In 1973, Margaret Court wins the last of her record 24 Grand Slam titles with a win over Evonne Goolagong.

In 1984 the phrase Super Saturday is coined for the long day of thrilling tennis that started at 11:07 a.m. and goes to 11:16 p.m. Stan Smith beats John Newcombe in a men’s 35s semifinal, Ivan Lendl beats Pat Cash in a five set semifinal, Martina Navratilova beats Chris Evert in three sets for the title, and John McEnroe defeats Jimmy Connors in a five set semifinal.