When The Big Names Lose Early

By Sandra Harwitt

What can you say after a day like yesterday except that anything can happen so think twice before you bet the house!

Gone is Andy Roddick, who many thought had a great chance to win his second Grand Slam trophy – second U.S. Open title. John Isner, the former Georgia Bulldog towers over most of the other players, but Roddick’s achievements should’ve towered over Isner. But in the end, Isner had one too many serves in their exciting 7-6 (3), 6-3, 3-6, 5-7, 7-6 (5) third round encounter.

Most around these parts thought that Roddick should be and was encouraged by his fantastic showing in the Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. But I think it’s naïve to not assume there had to be a tremendous element of disappointment. Through most of that match, Andy was in charge even with Roger serving so big. And to lose by losing your serve for the first time at the end of five intriguing sets -- -- Andy had to wondering what else can he could possibly do to get his hands on a Wimbledon trophy after three attempts against Roger in the finals.

Also bowing out was Dinara Safina in a tough 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (5) upset delivered by Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic and as discussed in yesterday’s blog, Maria Sharapova.

Now some might think me crazy, but Safina’s early round loss could be a blessing in disguise. I actually picked Dinara as my early exit in the espn.com expert picks. Here was my reasoning, which some of you might find a bit crazy. I felt that she just could not handle another Grand Slam final loss. Seriously! She’s got that Safin-Safina blood coursing through her veins and they see things differently and are very emotional people.

The 2008 French Open final: Safina suffers a 6-4, 6-3 loss to Anna Ivanovic.

The 2009 Australian Open final: Safina suffers a tougher 6-0, 6-3 loss to Serena Williams

The 2009 French Open final: Safina suffers another straight set defeat at 6-4, 6-2 to Svetlana Kuznetsova.

How much Grand Slam final failure can a girl take?

I know there are those who point out that Kim Clijsters failed to hoist the trophy in her first four Grand Slam final appearances before she won her lone major at the 2005 U.S. Open. But Kim and Dinara are as different as they come, so that theory doesn’t seem applicable to me.

If Safina is smart she’ll take this early exit and make it work for the future. She needs to go out there and find a confidence boost as her self-esteem has to be low. Personally, I think the computer rankings have a glitch when someone who doesn’t win a major can be top dog. But the computer rewards players for playing frequently and going deep into a tournament on a regular basis. So as the rankings work now, Safina was legitimately No. 1 and she should have held her head high and acted like she deserved to be there.

It’s hard not to like Safina – she’s charming, funny, entertaining just like her older brother, Marat. FYI: Marat says he’s done with tennis, but I wonder if we might not see him back.

Talk about having your head on straight look no further than Kim Clijsters. She knew she wanted to retire, get married and have children. She did that successfully, decided she missed the game and wanted back in. She’s dedicated to being a contender again and her stunning 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 win over Venus Williams in the fourth round today sits her comfortably in the quarterfinals.

Expect Clijsters, one of the nicest ladies on tour who all welcomed back with enthusiasm, to do well in her second career. Fulfillment Clijsters style is husband, daughter and tennis all wrapped up into one beautiful package.

U.S. Open History For September 6

In 1920, Big Bill Tilden one the first of his seven U.S. singles titles at the famed West Side Tennis Club.

In 1991, Monica Seles beat fellow teen Jennifer Capriati in the semifinals to reach her first U.S. Open final. She goes on to win the title with a final victory over Martina Navratilova.

In 1998, Steffi Graf plays what turns out to be her last ever match at the U.S. Open, losing to Patty Schnyder 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round. Graf retires 11 months later after winning the 1999 French Open and reaching the Wimbledon final.

Until tomorrow, tennis fans!