STARS
US OPEN
Men’s Singles: Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic, rain delayed until Monday
Women’s Singles: Kim Clijsters beat Vera Zvonareva 6-2 6-1
Men’s Doubles: Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan beat Rohan Bopanna and Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi 7-6 (5) 7-6 (4)
Women’s Doubles: Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova led Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova 6-2 4-6 5-4 0-15, rain delayed until Monday
Mixed Doubles: Liezel Huber and Bob Bryan beat Kveta Peschke and Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi 6-4 6-4
Boys’ Singles: Jack Sock beat Denis Kudla 3-6 6-2 6-2
Girls’ Singles: Daria Gavrilova beat Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-2
Boys’ Doubles: Duilio Beretta and Roberto Quiroz beat Oliver Golding and Jiri Vesely 6-2 7-5
Girls’ Doubles: Timea Babos and Sloane Stephens beat An-Sophie Mestach and Silvia Njiric walkover
Men’s Wheelchair Singles: Shingo Kunieda vs. Nicolas Peifer, rain delayed until Monday
Women’s Wheelchair Singles: Esther Vergeer beat Daniela Di Toro 6-0 6-0
Men’s Wheelchair Doubles: Maikel Scheffers and Ronald Vink beat Nicolas Peifer and Jon Rydberg 6-0 6-0
Women’s Wheelchair Doubles: Esther Vergeer and Sharon Walraven beat Daniela Di Toro and Aniek Van Koot 6-3 6-3
OTHER TOURNAMENTS
Fabio Fognina beat Potito Starace 6-4 6-1 to win the Genova Open in Genova, Italy
Renata Voracova beat Zuzana Ondraskova 6-4 6-2 to win the ITF women’s tournament in Biella, Italy
SAYINGS
“I know if I bring my best, I’m capable of beating the best players.” – Kim Clijsters, after winning her third US Open women’s singles title.
“For me it is a dream to play for the first time in a final in the biggest center court in the world. I have been trying my best for years so after a lot of work I am very happy about that.” – Rafael Nadal.
“I was just closing my eyes and hitting forehands as hard as I can. If it goes in, it goes in. If it goes out, it’s just another loss at the US Open to Roger Federer.” – Novak Djokovic, who made enough forehands to defeat Federer in the semifinals.
“I had chances and, I don’t know, I made some mistakes today that I usually don’t do. It was a tough day for me in the office.” – Caroline Wozniacki, after losing to Vera Zvonareva in the semifinals.
“I’ve been around tennis for weeks and weeks and weeks right now. Last thing I want to do is watch another tennis match where I’m not a part of. I will spend some time with my kids and take it easy, maybe go shopping. I don’t know if shops are open here in New York (on) Sundays, but I’m sure something is open.” – Roger Federer, after losing to Novak Djokovic.
“He wants to chest bump, chest bump, chest bump. I’m like, no. Do it with your girlfriend; don’t chest bump me. No, just joking. (But) no, we don’t chest bump. I’m just scared I will hurt myself.” – Liezel Huber, on celebrating the mixed doubles title with partner Bob Bryan, the way Bob does with his twin brother Mike Bryan when they win.
“I feel like my career hasn’t been traditional in any way. I feel like as long as I’m striking the ball well, I’m going to keep playing. At this point, I’m striking the ball well, so there is no end in sight at the moment.” – Venus Williams, noting there are no plans of retirement in her future right now.
“You know, we’re in the quarterfinals of the Grand Slam, so you cannot play against somebody that doesn’t know how to play.” – Dominika Cibulkova, after her fourth-round upset of Svetlana Kuznetsova.
“It’s a little tough to put it into perspective this soon, but it’s been a great summer, obviously, for many reasons. (I) sort of put myself back into a position where I feel like I belong.” – Mardy Fish, assessing his US Open after losing to Novak Djokovic in the fourth round.
“Roger, he’s always in quarterfinals since many years, so that’s not something different. But for me, it’s my first time, so it’s something important for my career.” – Stanislas Wawrinka, on two Swiss players – he and Roger Federer – reaching the quarterfinals.
“Her game is better than ever now. It seems like everybody is hitting their stride at 30. It’s the new 20.” – Venus Williams, talking about fellow 30-year-old Francesca Schiavone.
“It is with a heavy heart that I am resigning as Davis Cup captain, but it is a decision I felt was best for the team and myself right now. Davis Cup is a significant time commitment and this decision will allow me to focus more energy on my family and to the USTA Player Development program.” – Patrick McEnroe, resigning as captain of the United States Davis Cup team.
“This has been the best match we ever played. These guys played incredible. We had to step up and match their energy.” – Bob Bryan, who with his twin brother Mike won the men’s doubles, defeating India’s Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan’s Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi.
“There’s a bad perception that Pakistan is a terrorist nation. We’re a friendly, loving, caring people. We want peace as much as you guys. May God bless us all.” – Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, speaking to the crowd after the men’s doubles final.
“Sports will always play a certain role. No matter how you look at it, this is bound to improve things. Because this is people to people, this is not governments to governments, which have reservations and other aspects. This is people to people. People have enjoyed it. It has created a tremendous boom.” – Pakistani ambassador Abdullah H. Haroon, on the success of the doubles team of Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi of Pakistan and Rohan Bopanna of India.
“It’s the message it sends that India and Pakistan are playing on the same side. The core message that comes through is that you cannot allow relations between two countries to be held hostage by actions of a few. A large majority want peace, want tranquility. They want to live together and get along with their daily lives.” – India’s Ambassador Hardeep Puri.
“Sorry I went down two days in a row. It was a close match. These guys just proved why they are number one in the world. The ‘Indo-Pak Express’ was running pretty great until we met these two guys.” – Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi, who also lost the mixed doubles final.
SHOWERY STOPPAGE
For the third consecutive year the US Open has played on a third Monday. Rain, which had stayed away from New York throughout the fortnight, washed out a large part of the final Sunday. Besides the men’s final between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, the women’s doubles final was halted with Liezel Huber and Nadia Petrova just three points away from victory over Vania King and Yaroslava Shvedova. Also postponed until Monday was the men’s wheelchair title match between Japan’s Shingo Kunieda and Nicolas Peifer of France.
SPEEDY VICTORY
When Kim Clijsters won the US Open women’s singles this year, she did it in record time. Her 6-2 6-1 victory over Vera Zvonareva was officially timed at 59 minutes, the fastest women’s singles final on record. The match also was the 16th consecutive US Open women’s final to be decided in straight sets. The last three-set women’s singles final came in 1995 when Steffi Graf defeated Monica Seles.
SOCK IS TOP
Jack Sock became the first American to win the US Open junior boys title since Andy Roddick 10 years ago. The unseeded Sock defeated Denis Kudla of Arlington, Virginia, 3-6 6-2 6-2. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sock now makes his home in Kansas City, Missouri.
The junior girls’ final could have been played either in Russia or France. Top-seeded Daria Gavrilova beat fellow Russian and close friend Yulia Putintseva 6-3 6-2. The pair – both are from Moscow — first played each other eight years ago and now train together at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy on the outskirts of Paris, France.
Both junior singles finals were completed Sunday before rain washed out the remainder of the schedule.
SCHIAVONE HONORED
Francesca Schiavone’s historic French Open victory has now been officially recognized back home. President Giorgio Napolitano of Italy signed a decree honoring the 30-year-old player who became the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam tournament title. Also receiving the honor were Olympic slalom champion Giuliano Razzoli and Paralympic winner Francesca Porcellato.
STEPPING DOWN
Patrick McEnroe has given up one of his hats. He will step down as captain of the United States Davis Cup team immediately after the Paribas World Group Playoffs n Bogota, Colombia, later this month. The younger brother of John McEnroe, Patrick has served as captain for 10 years, longer than any other in US Davis Cup history. He led the United States to its record 32nd Davis Cup title in 2007, its first since 1995 and ending the longest drought in US Davis Cup history. His teams have compiled a 16-9 record, with the 16 victories second all-time for America behind Tom Gorman’s 18 wins. “Patrick changed the culture of Davis Cup in the United States, creating a true team environment and a sense of camaraderie that the US has never before seen,” said Jim Curley, United States Tennis Association (USTA) Chief Professional Tournaments Officer. “He has been a champion of the competition in every sense of the word, and elevated the stature of the event in this country.” McEnroe will stay on as head of the USTA Player Development program.
SERVING BIG
Roger Federer is walking away from the 2010 US Open with at least one title. The super Swiss hit 86 aces in his six matches, the most of the tournament. Not known for big serves, Federer nonetheless has won the ace race for the third time in four years. He won it last year with 87 aces and in 2007 with 75. Both of those years, however, Federer played in seven matches, winning the title three years ago and finishing as runner-up last year. This year he lost in the semifinals to Novak Djokovic. The second-highest number of aces this year was the 76 served by John Isner in just three matches. Sam Querrey, like Isner a big-serving American, finished with 67 in four matches. Among the women, Venus Williams led with 35 aces in six matches. Women’s champion Kim Clijsters had 14 aces in seven matches, tying her with runner-up Vera Zvonareva.
Taylor Dent hit the biggest serve of the tournament, being clocked at 147 mph (237 kph). Venus Williams led the women with a serve clocked at 127 mph (204 kph).
SO MUCH HEART
Yanina Wickmayer will receive the Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heart Award at next month’s $100,000 International Tennis Federation (ITF) women’s tournament in Torhout, Belgium. The 20-year-old Belgian edged out fellow nominees Daniela Hantuchova, Samantha Stosur and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez to win the award following a public vote on www.fedcup.com and www.fedcup.com/es. Wickmayer won both her singles, including the decisive final singles rubber, to lead Belgium over Estonia 3-2 and back into the World Group for the first time since 2007. She will receive a silver Baccarat bracelet plus a check for USD $3,000 to be donated to a charity of her choice. The Heart Award recognizes players who have represented their country with distinction, shown exceptional courage on court and demonstrated outstanding commitment to the team during Fed Cup by BNP Paribas.
STARRING
Margaret Osborne DuPont and Ken Rosewall have been inducted into the US Open Court of Champions at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. DuPont won 25 US Championship titles – three singles, 13 women’s doubles and nine mixed doubles. Rosewall captured two men’s singles crowns 14 years apart.
SCHOOL REPRIMANDED
Princeton University has been reprimanded and censured for a major violation in its women’s tennis program. The Division I committee on infractions says the case centered on a Princeton alumnus who paid USD $33,000 in impermissible educational expenses for a student-athlete to attend the school. The NCAA imposed only minimal penalties on the school because of the limited nature of the case and the university’s efforts to uncover and report the infraction. The school said the alumnus had a family-like relationship with the student for several years. The student applied and was accepted to Princeton before she was aware that the alumnus was willing to assist with her educational expenses. The NCAA said the money the student-athlete received provided Princeton with a competitive advantage because it allowed the player to attend and participate on the team.
SUPER SCRIBES
Los Angeles Times columnist Bill Dwyre captured three awards in the 11th annual United States Tennis Writers’ Association (USTWA) Writing Contest. Dwyre won first place in Game Story (Pro Tennis) with his article titled, “Nadal, Gasquet know all about pain.” He also took third place in that category as well as second place in Hard News/Enterprise. Other top winners were Feature Story (Pro Tennis): Burkhard Bilger, The New Yorker; Feature Story (Non-Pro Tennis): Allen St. John, Tennis Magazine; Game Story (Non-Pro): Joshua Rey, DunlopOrangeBowl.com; Hard News/Enterprise: Doug Robson, USA Today; Column/Commentary: Bill Simons, Inside Tennis; and Service Story: Paul Fein, Sportstar. Judging the entries were Robin Blackburn, former director of Columbia University’s National Magazine Awards; Juan Carlos Arancibia, Investor’s Business Daily; and Tony Fong, GenomeWeb Daily News.
SURPRISE, NOT!
Roger Federer is the second player to qualify for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Federer, who won the Australian Open in January, joins Rafael Nadal in claiming a spot in the elite eight-player singles field. Close to qualifying for the London, Great Britain, tournament are Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Robin Soderling.
SHARP EYESIGHT
Bradley Klahn didn’t last past the first round of the men’s singles, but it wasn’t because of his eyesight. The all-American from Stanford received an automatic wild card entry into the US Open by winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) singles championship. Unfortunately, he drew the hard-hitting Sam Querrey, who was seeded 20th, as his first-round foe. Klahn, who lives in Poway, California, USA, lost, but not before challenging five calls during the match – and overturning all five calls. No other player was perfect in correctly challenging line calls – at least none who had at least five challenges.
STAYING THE COURSE
For only the third time in the Open era – and the first time since 1995 – the top three seeded players in both the men’s and women’s singles reached the semifinals at the US Open. In 1995, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl and Mats Wilander advanced among the men, while Chris Evert Lloyd, Martina Navratilova and Hana Mandlikova were in the women’s semis. This year, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the men’s draw and Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters and Venus Williams in the women’s draw accomplished the feat. The only other time in the Open era that that has happened was in 1975 when Chris Evert, Virginia Wade and Martina Navratilova along with Jimmy Connors, Guillermo Vilas and Manuel Orantes played in the semifinals.
SIGNING UP AGAIN
Mary Joe Fernandez will captain the United States Fed Cup team through 2012. Fernandez, who took over as captain last year after serving one season as team coach, has led the Americans to the final in her first two years as captain. The United States will play Italy in the Fed Cup final in San Diego, California, November 6-7.
STARRING FOR ESTONIA
Almost anything Kaia Kanepi did on a tennis court in 2010 was a first for her native land. She became the first Estonian player to win a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour title when she captured the tournament at Palermo, Italy. By reaching the quarterfinals, she became the first Estonian to advance that far at the US Open in the Open era. Kanepi cracked the Top 20 on February 3, 2009, becoming the first Estonian to do so. Not surprisingly she received the Best Female Athlete of Estonia Award in 2008.
SPECIAL MAN
Former New York City Mayor David Dinkins is the 2010 recipient of the United States Tennis Association’s President’s Award. The longest-serving member of the current USTA board, Dinkins received an award that has been given to Billie Jean King, Lindsay Davenport, and brothers Mike and Bob Bryan. While Dinkins is known for his political contributions to the New York City area and his passion for tennis, his work with the public exceeds far beyond the political arena and the court. “Mayor Dinkins has been an advocate for the sport and major contributor in our efforts to grow the game,” said Lucy S. Garvin, chairman of the board and president of the USTA, “It has been an honor to serve alongside him on the USTA Board of Directors and the entire tennis community has benefitted from his incredible passion, dedication and commitment.”
SIGNED
ESPN will televise the Australian Open through 2021. Announcing their new agreement, ESPN, Inc. and Tennis Australia said it takes effect in 2012 and includes all ESPN platforms: ESPN2, ESPN Deportes in Latin America and ESPN International. It also includes expanded rights for ESPN3.com, iTV (interactive television), and highlights on ESPN.com and other emerging and digital media, including ESPN Mobile TV. Having televised the Australian Open since 1984, this is ESPN’s longest uninterrupted professional sports programming relationship.
SECOND “BREAKING THE BARRIERS” EVENT
Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron was among those honored by the USTA for having made an impact through diversity and inclusion. Besides Aaron, others who were singled out at the second annual “Breaking the Barriers” reception included Judy Levering, a past president of the USTA, and Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO of ATT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. The event was held on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
SELECT GROUP
The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum has 11 new members on its board of directors. Elected at the Hall of Fame’s annual meeting in New York City were John P. Arnhold, New York; Mark D. Ein, Washington, D.C.; Renee A.R. Evangelista, Lincoln, Rhode Island; James (Jim) L. Farley, Cincinnati, Ohio; Philip H. Geier Jr., New York; Madam Sun Jinfang, Anhui, China; Katherine Burton Jones, Newton, Massachusetts; Geoff Pollard AM, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Will Prest, Minneapolis, Minnesota; Michelle Sicard, New York; and Ken Solomon, New York. Additionally, George Gowen, who has served as the Hall of Fame’s general counsel for the past 30 years, was recognized as a Hall of Fame Life Trustee. Gowen is a partner at the firm of Dunnington, Bartholow Miller in New York.
SPONSORSHIP
FedEx will become the global Platinum Sponsor and Official Carrier of the ATP World Tour. The three-year sponsorship will begin at the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in November. In addition to global marketing rights, FedEx will become a sponsor of 17 ATP World Tour tournaments in 12 different countries.
SWIFT WINS ITA AWARD
Robert A. Swift, a 1968 graduate of Haverford College, is the 2010 winner of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Achievement Award. Now a senior member in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, law firm of Kohn, Swift & Graf, P.C., Swift played number one singles all four years in college, serving as team captain his senior year. He is regarded as a pioneer in developing human rights jurisprudence into a vehicle to compensate victims worldwide for the most heinous of abuses. As chairman of Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education (AAYTE), Swift was instrumental in merging the National Junior Tennis League of Philadelphia into his organization. Under his leadership, youth programs were expanded and led to the construction of a regional tennis center exclusively for youth and named for Arthur Ashe. The ITA Achievement Award was created in 1994 to pay tribute each year to past college tennis participants who have achieved excellence in their chosen careers. The ITA Achievement Award winner’s alma mater’s collegiate tennis program will also receive a USD $1,000 donation.
SUCCULENT
Jonathan Waxman won the 2010 US Open Master Chef Charity Competition at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Waxman’s roast chicken Panini with basil aioli and greens was the best-selling dish from the competition, which featured signature dishes from other top chefs, including Tony Mantuano, Susan Feniger, Carmen Gonzalez and Rick Moonen. For winning the competition, the US Open will donate USD $5,000 on Waxman’s behalf to his chosen charity, Citymeals-on-Wheels. A chef, restaurateur and author, Waxman currently is the chef and owner of Barbuto in New York’s Meatpacking District.
STAYING AROUND
Wilson Racquet Sports has extended its support of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and will continue as the official ball of the US Open in a new long-term partnership. Under the terms of the new agreement, Wilson will provide a wide range of support for the USTA’s professional tennis and player development programs. In addition to continuing as the official ball of US Open, Wilson is the official ball of the USTA National Championships, the USTA Pro Circuit, USTA Player Development, USTA Training Centers, the Men’s and Women’s Hard Court Championships, the USTA National Clay Court Championships, and for home ties of the US Davis Cup and Fed Cup teams.
SHARED PERFORMANCES
Biella: Mariya Koryttseva and Iona-Raluca Olaru beat Andreja Klepac and Aurelie Vedy 7-5 6-4
Genova: Andre Begemann and Martin Emmrich beat Brian Battistone and Andreas Siljestrom 1-6 7-6 (3) 10-7 (match tiebreak)
SITES TO SURF
Szczecin: www.pekaoopen.pl/
Guangzhou: http://sports.21cn.com/09gzopen/
Quebec: www.challengebell.com
Sofia: www.bgtennis.bg/
Davis Cup: www.daviscup.com
Seoul: www.hansolopen.com
Saint Malo: www.opengdfsuez-bretagne.com/
TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK
(All money in USD)
ATP
$137,000 Pekao Szczecin Open, Szczecin, Poland, clay
WTA
$220,000 Landsky Lightning Guangzhou International Women’s Open, Guangzhou, Chia, hard
$220,000 Bell Challenge, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, hard
$100,000 Allianz Cup, Sofia, Bulgaria, clay
DAVIS CUP
World Group Semifinals
France vs. Argentina at Lyon, France, hard
Serbia vs. Czech Republic at Belgrade, Serbia, hard
World Group Playoffs
Israel vs. Austria at Tel Aviv, Israel
Colombia vs. United States at Bogota, Colombia
Germany vs. South Africa at Stuttgart, Germany
Sweden vs. Italy at Lidkopoing, Sweden
India vs. Brazil at Chennai, India
Australia vs. Belgium at North Cairns, Australia
Kazakhstan vs. Switzerland at Astana, Kazakhstan
Romania vs. Ecuador at Bucharest, Romania
Americas Zone Group I, Second Round Playoff – Canada vs. Dominican Republic at Toronto, Canada
Americas Zone Group II, Third Round – Mexico vs. Venezuela at Miguel Hidalgo, Mexico
Asia/Oceania Zone Group I, Second Round Playoff – Korea vs. Philippines at Changwon, Korea
Asia/Oceania Zone Group II, Third Round – New Zealand vs. Thailand at Nontheburi, New Zealand
Europe/Africa Zone Group I, Second Round Playoff – Belarus vs. Slovak Republic at Minsk, Belarus; Latvia vs. Poland at Riga, Latvia
Europe/Africa Zone Group II, Third Round – Slovenia vs. Lithuania at Vilnius, Slovenia, Lithuania; Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Portugal at Ouebrada, Bosnia and Herzegovina
TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK
ATP
$500,000 Open de Moselle, Metz, France, hard
$470,000 BCR Open Romania, Bucharest, Romania, clay
WTA
$220,000 Hansol Korea Open, Seoul, Korea, hard
$220,000 Tashkent Open, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, hard
$100,000 Open GDF Suez de Bretagne, Saint Malo, France, clay