[DUlrich1227]

I will post all news / info i find for the week here..(I will start a new thread weekly )

if any one has anything to add please do !

Davenport, 3 of Top 10 This Week at WTA New Haven

A strong field for the week before a grand slam kicks off Monday at the Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven, featuring the return of Lindsay Davenport after a respite to heal a back injury.

Davenport fell to No. 2 on the WTA Tour Rankings Monday, with Russian Maria Sharapova ascending to the top spot for the first time in her career.

After last-minute weekend withdrawals by Svetlana Kuznetsova (back) and Anastasia Myskina (ankle), the Top 8 seeds joining Davenport are now Amelie Mauresmo, Russians Elena Dementieva and Nadia Petrova, Aussie Alicia Molik making her return from a lengthy sidelining ear infection, Swiss Patty Schnyder, France's Nathalie Dechy, and Serb Jelena Jankovic.

The Top 4 seeds receive byes in New Haven, with a number of early-round testers in (1) Davenport vs. French comer Tatiana Golovin in a potential second-rounder, (4) Dementieva vs. Vera Douchevina in a potential all-Russian second-rounder, and also potentially in the second round (2) Mauresmo vs. Top 20 Russian Elena Likhovtseva.

Play began Sunday in New Haven with winners (6) Schnyder (d. Raymond in three) and Gisela Dulko (d. (7) Molik).

The final round of qualifying was also completed with Shuai Peng (CHN), Kveta Peschke (CZE), Jelena Kostanic (CRO), and Jamea Jackson (USA).

Scheduled for Monday are Chakvetadze vs. Jankovic, Golovin vs. Peschke, Dechy vs. Shaughnessy, Bartoli vs. Likhovtseva, Maleeva vs. Jackson, Kirilenko vs. Farina Elia, Douchevina vs. Peng, and Medina Garrigues vs. Razzano.

Mirza, Shaughnessy Recognizable Names at WTA Forest Hills

Play starts Tuesday again at this year's "experimental" event in Forest Hills, featuring only a 16-draw field, no doubles and no qualifying.

The draw will be released Monday, and like last year will be virtually starless with journeywomen and up-and-coming players such as Japan's Akiko Morigami, American Meghann Shaughnessy, Sania Mirza and other competitors outside the Top 50.

The event is held at the West Side Tennis Club, the former home of the US Open.

In last year's inaugural final, Russia's Elena Likhovtseva defeated Czech Iveta Benesova.

Davydenko Heads Thin Pre-Open Field at ATP New Haven

With Russian Nikolay Davydenko the only Top 10 representative, the big dogs rest with seven days before the start of the US Open, while the 56-player draw at this week's Pilot Pen Tennis giving plenty of lower-ranked competitors some last-minute match play before heading to New York.

Joining Davydenko among the Top 8 of the 16 seeds are Chileans Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez and Nicolas Massu, Spaniards Dave Ferrer, Tommy Robredo and Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez, former No. 2-ranked German Tommy Haas, and Belgian Olivier "Coch" Rochus.

Stand-outs among the Bottom 8 seeds are Brit "Grinning" Greg Rusedski, Austrian imploder Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer, rappin' Vince Spadea, Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan, and French teen threat Gael "Force" Monfils.

Potential quarterfinal meetings include (1) Davydenko vs. (6) Haas or (WC) Blake, (9) Rusedski vs. (16) Monfils, (8) O.Rochus vs. (15) Srichaphan, and (2) Gonzo vs. (5) F-Lo or (12) Spadea.

Scheduled for Monday are (WC) Jenkins vs. Nieminen, (WC) Gimelstob vs. Guillermo "G-Lo" Garcia-Lopez, Sanguinetti vs K.Kim, Koubek vs. (WC) Reynolds, Tursunov vs. Seppi, Juan "The Principality" Monaco vs. Andreev, Hanescu vs. Luis "Me So" Horna, Wawrinka vs. Saulnier, Hernych vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, and Muller vs. Zib.

[Tommy]

Thanks David Very helpful I will add some info as I find it

[DUlrich1227]

US Open Men's Wild Cards Awarded To Blake, Philippoussis, Gambill and a Talented Group of Young Americans
Thursday, August 18, 2005

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., August 18, 2005 - The USTA has announced that James Blake (Tampa, Fla.), 1998 US Open runner-up Mark Philippoussis (Australia), former Top 20 player Jan-Michael Gambill (Colbert, Wash.) and a talented group of young Americans including Brian Baker (Nashville, Tenn.), Scoville Jenkins (Atlanta), Rajeev Ram (Carmel, Ind.), Bobby Reynolds (Acworth, Ga.) and Donald Young (Fairburn, Ga.) have been awarded men's singles main draw wild card entries into the 2005 US Open Tennis Championships, which will be played August 29 - September 11 at the USTA National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Baker, 20, is currently No. 197 in the ATP Entry Ranking having been sidelined twice this year with injury. In the past three weeks, he reached the semifinal of USTA Challengers in Lexington, Ky., and Binghamton, N.Y. and the second round of the US Open Series event in Washington, DC. In April, following a three-month break with a left wrist injury, he reached the final of the USTA Challenger in Tunica Resorts, Miss.

Blake, 25, is currently No. 70 in the ATP Entry Ranking, but was ranked No. 107 and missed direct acceptance at the time of the US Open entry deadline. He reached the final of the US Open Series event in Washington, D.C. two weeks ago. Last year, he finished in the Top 100 for the fourth consecutive season despite a series of injuries and illness. Blake sparked his comeback in May during the clay court season, winning consecutive USTA Challengers in Tunica Resorts, Miss., and Forest Hills, N.Y. before advancing through qualifying to reach the second round of the French Open.

Gambill, 28, is currently ranked No. 142 after finishing in the Top 100 for the seventh consecutive season last year. The winner of three ATP titles has been ranked as high as No. 14 in world. Gambill reached the quarterfinals of the ATP event in Memphis in February and the semifinals of the Granby Challenger in Canada two weeks ago. He was a member of the U.S. Davis Cup team in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

Jenkins, 18, is currently ranked a career-high No. 373 in the ATP Entry Ranking in his first full season as a professional. Last year, he made his tour-level debut at the US Open, earning a wild card as the USTA Boys' 18s champion and lost to defending champion Andy Roddick in the first round. This year he has reached the semifinals of USTA Futures in Harlingen, Texas and Auburn, Calif., and the quarterfinals of USTA Challengers in Aptos, Calif., and Lexington, Ky.

Philippoussis, 28, is currently No. 202 in the ATP Entry Ranking. The winner of 10 ATP singles titles has been ranked as high as No. 8 in the world and reached the final at the US Open in 1998 and Wimbledon in 2003. Philippoussis has played only eight tour-level events this year due to injury with his best finish coming in June when he reached the semifinals of 's-Hertogenbosch.


Ram, 21, is currently No. 221 in the ATP Entry Ranking, one spot below his career-high set two weeks ago. He reached his first Challenger final at the USTA $75,000 event in Aptos this summer and reached the semifinals of the Forest Hills Grass Court Challenger and Tampa Futures. Last year, he made his Grand Slam debut at the US Open.

Reynolds, 23, is currently a career-high No. 129 in the ATP Entry Rankings following a quarterfinal finish at the US Open Series event in Washington, D.C. He began the year by qualifying for the main draw at the Australian Open, where he reached the third round. Reynolds is 10-3 on the USTA Pro Circuit this summer, reaching the final of the Lexington Challenger and the semifinals of Aptos and Binghamton.

Young, 16, currently the No. 1 junior tennis player in the world, earned his wild card by winning the 2005 USTA Boys' 18s National Championship last weekend in Kalamazoo, Mich. He will attempt to become the youngest player to win a men's singles match at the US Open since Michael Chang in 1987, and will be the sixth youngest boy ever to compete in the US Open. Young defeated Sam Querrey in the Kalamazoo final 7-6(4), 5-7, 6-2 to become the second African-American to win the Boys' 18s title in the tournament's 90-year history, joining last year's winner Jenkins.

The US Open Men's Singles Championship is presented by Lexus. Both the men's and women's US Open singles champions will earn $1.1 million with the ability to earn up to $2.2 million based on their performances in the US Open Series. In addition, both US Open singles champions will receive a 2006 Lexus GS 430 automobile.

In addition to the eight US Open men's singles main draw wild cards, the USTA also announced the nine men who have been awarded wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, which will be held August 23-26 at the USTA National Tennis Center.

Six of the nine qualifying wild card recipients are age19 or younger.

Players receiving US Open qualifying wild cards are: Alex Clayton (17, Bradenton, Fla.), Brendan Evans (19, Key Biscayne, Fla.), Zack Fleishman (25, Playa del Rey, Calif.), John Paul Fruttero (24, Berkeley, Calif.), Jesse Levine (17, Boca Raton, Fla.), Wayne Odesnik (19, Weston, Fla.), Sam Querrey (17, Thousand Oaks, Calif.), Travis Rettenmaier (22, Los Angeles), and Timothy Smyczek (17, Milwaukee, Wisc.).

[DUlrich1227]

Jenkins, Gimelstob Lead Americans at ATP New Haven

The "C"-level American contingent provided the excitement on a seedless-orange day one at the ATP stop in New Haven Monday, with both Scoville Jenkins and Justin Gimelstob posting come-from-behind three-set wins to move into the second round.

"This is big," said Jenkins, firing 19 aces en route to his first tour win. "I'm excited but I can't be too excited because I have another match to go tomorrow."

Jenkins started nervously but got a foothold in the match after breaking in the second set before overcoming more nerves in the end.

"I feel comfortable because I've been waiting for this," Jenkins said. "I wasn't relaxed in those final games, but I have to get used to this. I have to realize now that I'm on a stage."



Americans on the losing end Monday were Bobby Reynolds, straight-setted by Austria's Stefan Koubek, and Kevin Kim, edged by David Sanguinetti of Italy.

"I haven't won too many matches so far (this year)," said Koubek who was suspended three months for a drug infraction and had a knee injury earlier this year, "but I qualified last week in Cincinnati and now in New Haven. Being in the main draw is great for me."

Other un-seeds into the second round were Romanian Victor Hanescu (d. Horna in three tiebreaks), Russian Igor Andreev (d. Monaco), France's Cyril Saulnier (d. Wawrinka), Czech Tomas Zib (d. Muller in three), Italy's Andrea Seppi (d. Tursunov from a set down), and Spain's Fernando Verdasco (d. Hernych, bagel in the first).

On court Tuesday in New Haven are Carlsen vs. Fabrice "The Original Magician" Santoro, Kohlschreiber vs. Fish, Llodra vs. (WC) Blake, (15) Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan vs. Saulnier, (9) "Grinning" Greg Rusedski vs. Hanescu, (4) Robredo vs. Jenkins, A.Martin vs. Christophe "The Roach" Rochus, Marcos "Bombs Over" Baghdatis vs. Juan Ignacio "The Spitting Snake" Chela, (14) Soderling vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco, Ram vs. Ricardo Mello "Yello," (5) Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez vs. Sanguinetti, and in doubles the Chilean baseline-huggers Gonzalez/Massu get out the bug spray vs. "Team Roach" Rochus/Rochus.

Seeds 0-for-2 Monday at WTA New Haven

Two seeds were offered-up Monday at the WTA stop in New Haven, and two seeds were given some early down-time in their preparation for next week's US Open as American wildcard Meghann Shaughnessy ousted No. 9 Nathalie Dechy in three sets, and No. 10 Jelena Jankovic was outlasted in three by Russian Anna Chakvetadze.

Jankovic says her problem stems from a lack of confidence after switching coaches.

"I'm not playing at my best, I don't feel the ball well," Jankovic said. "I have a new coach and he's changing things in my game, so the shots feel so insecure at the moment. My first (match) with him I lost in Toronto and now here. And before that I was not playing bad. Since I started with the coach, I'm not feeling so confident."

Shaughnessy was happy to get one in the "W" column in her personal rivalry with Dechy.

"She's been the biggest nightmare for me. I've lost to her the most than any other player," Shaughnessy said. "But this time I changed tactics a little. I went more at her body instead of pulling her wide. And I served big."

While the seeds fell, the Russian "B"-squad players flourished with three into the second round in lucky loser Maria Kirilenko (d. Farina Elia), Elena Likhovtseva (d. Bartoli from a set down), and Vera Douchevina (d. (Q) Peng), who set up a meeting with countrywoman and two-time 2004 slam runner-up Elena Dementieva.

Other unseeded players through to the second round were qualifiers Kveta Peschke of the Czech Republic (d. Golovin) and Jamea Jackson of the U.S. (d. Maleeva in three), and Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues (d. Razzano).

On tap for Tuesday in New Haven are Llagostera Vives vs. Hantuchova, Douchevina vs. Dementieva in an all-Russian, Davenport vs. Peschke, Kostanic vs. Groenefeld, Dulko vs. Medina Garrigues, and in doubles Molik/Morariu vs. Dechy/Mauresmo.

[DUlrich1227]

Lleyton Hewitt says he hopes to shake the tiredness that followed his stomach illness last week in Cincinnati before the US Open...Alicia Molik on losing in her opener at New Haven after coming back from a long layoff due to an inner-ear infection: "I was really over-anxious. I haven't been on a competitive ring for so long. I was gripping my racquet 10 times more that I used to. I always say I'm my harshest critic out there but I have to cut some slack this time. I got the first one out of the way. It's only going to get better from here."...Word is that Brit-Scot Andy Murray, who won the US Open boys' title last year and was this year dissed for a US Open wildcard after his breakout at Wimbledon, since winning two Challenger titles, will compete in the US Open qualifying this week even with a dodgy shoulder...Maria Sharapova's first week at No. 1 puts her four behind tying Amelie Mauresmo's rein at the top spot, and 377 weeks behind all-time leader Steffi Graf...Never has one player won four Masters Series events in one year (Roger Federer), and never have two players won the first seven MS titles in a year (Federer, Rafael Nadal)...Maria Sharapova speaking to the AP on rising to No. 1: "I know there is a lot of responsibility that comes along with being No. 1, and I want to represent women's tennis with the same class and style as the other great players, like Steffi Graf, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Lindsay (Davenport) and the others."...ATP staff and guests such as Todd Martin, Charlie Pasarell, and WTA CEO Larry Scott will take part in a roast of outgoing ATP CEO Mark Miles on August 30th in New York...Among those forced to play the men's qualifying this week at the US Open are Daniele "Choppin'" Bracciali, Arnaud Clement, Flavio "Of the Day" Saretta, Chris "Penthouse" Guccione, Canuck Frank Dancevic, Jonas Bjorkman, Olivier "All We Need is Just a Little" Patience, Julien "United Colors of" Benneteau, George "I Beat Pete on Grass" Bastl, Ivo "I Dated Hingis" Heuberger, Franco "The Squirrel" Squillari (thought he was retired?), Andy Murray, Dudi "Where's My Car?" Sela, and former NCAA champ Amer Delic...This may seem too common-sensical, and we may have made up that word, but if the ATP has done all it can over the last couple years to promote doubles, why hasn't it done something as simple as including doubles in its "live scoring" at events?...Brad Gilbert speaking to Tennis Week on his commentating for ESPN: "They had to change their style to me. I use no notes, I don't wear a suit and tie, I wear a t-shirt (laughs). I'm the same way on and off (camera)...That's the way I commentate and that's the way I am as a person -- if I feel something in my head, I'm going to let it fly and not think too much. I don't rehearse or anything, I just let it fly...I always want to see (Andre Agassi) win. But if I'm not objective they probably won't put me on TV. But you watch Andre and you know he's still hitting a darn good ball so it's not like he's not in the thick of things. So I feel like when they come down to me, I'm gonna be me and whatever is on top of my head, I'm just gonna wing it."...Coach Mark Petchey on Andy Murray's shoulder situation: "The shoulder certainly has not recovered as well as we hoped. Andy has not picked up a racket since walking off court from losing to (Marat) Safin, and he's been icing his shoulder for much of the time since. But he's still in quite a bit of pain and has had trouble sleeping, which is unlike him...It was disappointing to hear that Andy wasn't going to get a (US Open) wildcard but the news wasn't totally unexpected."...The premier issue of Men's Vogue will have a feature on Roger Federer and the contents of his tennis bag.

[Tommy]

Good stuff David Keep it coming lots to read

[DUlrich1227]

sorry a little late on this ..
Davenport, Dementieva Advance at WTA New Haven

While temperatures barely climbed into the 80s, one could make the stretch and say it was hot Russian-on-Russian action Tuesday at the WTA stop in New Haven, where No. 4 seed and 2004 US Open runner-up Elena Dementieva dispatched of countrywoman Vera Douchevina in a first-time meeting 6-2, 6-4, honing her preparation for next week's US Open.

"For me, it's a great challenge to play against young Russians," Dementieva said. "With Vera, we never played each other before, but we know each other very well. It was very interesting to play and to see who's coming up and what kind of game she has."

The featured night match saw the return of now-former No. 1 and top seed Lindsay Davenport, defeating Czech qualifier Kveta Peschke 6-4, 6-1 after an extended layoff due to a back injury.

"I was a little, actually, scared going out," Davenport said. "The last time I tried to play, it didn't go so well."

Unseeded winners advancing were Germany's Anna-Lena Groenefeld (d. (Q) Kostanic), Slovak Daniela Hantuchova (d. Llagostera Vives), and Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues (d. Dulko in three).

The former Top 10-ranked Hantuchova says her game has matured since she peaked in 2002 at No. 5 on the WTA Rankings.

"I must say I am much more aware of what I am doing on the court now," Hantuchova said. "When I was in (the) Top 10, everything was easy for me. I had nothing to lose. I was just swinging at the ball and had fun -- there was no pressure. Definitely now I am more mature and making much smarter decisions on the court."

On tap Wednesday are Hantuchova vs. Schnyder, Shaughnessy vs. Groenefeld, Likhovtseva vs. Mauresmo, Kirilenko vs. Chakvetadze in an all-Russian, and Zheng vs. Jackson.

Blake Wins, Jenkins, Fish Flop at ATP New Haven

Unseeded American wildcard Scoville Jenkins came within a set of the biggest upset this week at the ATP stop in New Haven, almost putting a dent in the movie-watching schedule of No. 4 seed Tommy Robredo in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 loss.

"After playing good in the first set, you never expect to have a tough match like that," Robredo said. "It's tough to get in a rhythm after that. He did good to come back, but it's my mistakes that allowed him to come back. I prefer to win 6-0, 6-0 in my matches and make it quick so I can go watch a movie. I'm going back to my room now to watch a tape I have of Million Dollar Baby."

Jenkins nerves showed in the third, with a double fault setting up match point for Robredo.

"After the second set, I felt like I had good momentum going into the third set," Jenkins said. "But he made adjustments in the third set. He made me play every point."

Other seeds advancing on the day were No. 5 Feliciano Lopez (d. Sanguinetti) and No. 15 Paradorn Srichaphan, who edged France's Cyril Saulnier in two tiebreaks.

American wildcard James Blake continued his torrid play, allowing only five games to France's Michael Llodra, while Mardy Fish's struggle to return from wrist surgery was compounded by a straight-set loss to German Philip Kohlschreiber.

"My wrist hurt more than I thought it would," Fish said. "If he hit the first serve hard, I would have to block it back quickly. That didn't bother me at all. What bothered me was a slower-paced ball when I had to generate my own pace. The doctor said I can't hurt it any worse, as I said, but it still hurts."

Blake enjoyed the vocal support of family and friends during his win from the "J-Block" in the stands.

"Being around so many friends, people who are supporting me, people I have known since I was a kid, is a great feeling," Blake said of New Haven. "You travel the world, and it is very seldom that we are in our hometown."

Other unseeded winners were France's Fabrice Santoro (d. Carlsen, bagel in the second), Belgian Christophe Rochus (d. A.Martin), Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela (d. Baghdatis), Israeli qualifier Andy Ram (d. Mello), Romanian Victor Hanescu (d. (LL) Minar), and Spain's Fernando Verdasco (d. (14) Soderling in two tiebreaks).

Scheduled for Wednesday are (10) Volandri vs. (WC) Blake, (1) Davydenko vs. Juan Ignacio "The Spitting Snake" Chela, Christophe "Coch" Rochus vs. (6) Haas, Seppi vs. (12) Spadea, (WC) Justin "Time" Gimelstob vs. (2) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez, Ram vs. (7) Massu, Fabrice "The Original Magician" Santoro vs. (13) Mathieu in an all-French, Koubek vs. (16) Gael "Force" Monfils, Zib vs. (3) Ferrer, Kohlschreiber vs. (11) Jurgen "Tuna" Melzer, and (8) Olivier "The Other Roach" Rochus vs. Andreev.

Italians and Czechs Winners Tuesday at WTA Forest Hills

Pairs of Italians and Czechs were the winning hands Tuesday on the opening day of play at the WTA stop in Forest Hills, where Czechs Zuzana Ondraskova (d. (4) Randriantefy) and Iveta Benesova (d. Brandi in three), and Italians Roberta Vinci (d. Pastikova) and Antonella Serra Zanetti (d. Mamic from a set down) advanced into the second round.

Scheduled for Wednesday in Forest Hills are Safarova vs. Smashnova, Diaz-Oliva vs. Sucha, Morigami vs. Glatch, and Mirza vs. Peer.

More from Maria Sharapova on taking the No. 1 ranking this week: "My dad was my wake-up call and he said, 'Good morning, champion.' He is really happy. My mom called later, and she is really happy...Just the fact you are No. 1 puts a smile on your face. It's something I've dreamed of all my life. I'm so excited I could achieve it. This has been an amazing day for me. I don't think anyone expected me to win Wimbledon at 17, and no one expected me to be No. 1 by 18. Now that I know I have achieved it, I know for a fact I never have to prove anything to anyone" How about proving you're not a one-slam wonder who ascended to No. 1 because everyone else was injured? Oooh! Burn! High-five...The women's draw at the US Open will include the slam champs from the last seven years...Nadia Petrova (chest muscle) and Greg Rusedski (brain muscle) pulled from New Haven Tuesday...Amelie Mauresmo on the cultural tennis differences between Europeans and Americans: "The culture being different shows at the Grand Slam events. People come for different reasons. Here in the States, people like the show, the entertainment. In Europe, especially at Wimbledon, they really come for the tennis. They're tennis lovers, they know what they're talking about precisely. At Wimbledon, you don't hear a word when you're serving. At the US Open and in America, there's always a little bit of noise going around. I'm OK with that and the big (television) screens on." It wouldn't be America without fat people watching TV, even while at sporting events...John McEnroe has been signed up in a $15 million three-year deal to promote foreign-exchange firm Travelex, not a bad payday for a some print ads...From Fox Sports: "Mark Philippoussis's wildcard elevation to the US Open main draw ahead of rising Scottish star Andy Murray has caused a storm in Great Britain. Officials in the UK are furious with the decision and are demanding an explanation from US Open organizers. Ranked No. 122 in the world, 18-year-old Murray is regarded as a future Top 10 player after his Wimbledon heroics in June when he reached the third round before losing in five sets to David Nalbandian...Murray, the reigning junior US champion, is ranked 86 places higher than Philippoussis, 28, and has quickly established his bona fides with victory. He nailed American Taylor Dent last week as his career continues to bloom." A bit too personal there at the end...From the Hartford Courant on X-fans in New Haven: "The (Justin) Gimelstob-(Guillermo) Garcia-Lopez match lasted until a little after midnight, and a number of diehard fans stuck around to watch. One small group was cheering for Garcia-Lopez, who was a qualifier, calling him "G-Lo." "I'd like to thank everybody who hung around, except for those four guys who sat over there," Gimelstob said."...Play find-the-error in this week's Reuters headline: "Long Island Cup men's singles results"...Andre Agassi is hoping that two-weeks rest will help his sciatic nerve problem with his back entering the US Open: "Eight weeks ago, I wasn't sure if I was playing tennis again. So to be out here feeling healthy and being able to move and hit my shots, that part alone feels great to me, let alone actually playing well. So now all of a sudden I'm faced with the reality that I can actually go enjoy the Open this year because I'm doing a few things right, which is nice to feel. I like where I am right now

[DUlrich1227]

Top-Seeded Davydenko Ousted, Blake Wins at ATP New Haven

Six seeds exited the draw Wednesday at the ATP stop in New Haven, with upsets orchestrated by Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela (d. (1) Davydenko), Russian Igor Andreev (d. (8) O.Rochus in two tiebreaks), American wildcard entrant James Blake (d. (10) Volandri), German Philip Kohlschreiber (d. (11) Melzer), France's Fabrice Santoro (d. countryman (13) Mathieu), and Austrian Stefan Koubek (d. (16) Monfils from a set down).

"Today, it was my mistake because we had different balls (than Montreal and Cincinnati)," Davydenko said. "I tried to make it different, my tension for strings was harder here and I tried to make no mistakes because the tension was hard and I had more control. I tried to come back but at 6-5 broke my string. I took my old racket and I lost in the tiebreak. I played really slow, Chela played good today and tried to make winners, and for me, if I play slow I can beat nobody."

Blake, who appears near the top of his game this summer, dropped only fours games against the No. 10-seeded Volandri to set up a meeting with former No. 2 Tommy Haas.

"It was one of those days where everything was going in," Blake said. "I felt like I was able to dictate. He didn't get many free points on his serve, but I was able to get some on mine."

Seeded winners avoiding the upsets were (2) Fernando Gonzalez (d. (WC) Gimelstob in three), (3) Dave Ferrer (d. Zib), (6) Tommy Haas (d. C.Rochus 6-0 in the third), (7) Nicolas Massu (d. A.Ram in three), and (12) Vince Spadea (d. Seppi).

"I had match points in the second set but I played very badly, and I pretty much gave him that second set," Massu said after outlasting the doubles specialist Ram. "I could have ended this match sooner than I did but this is how tennis is, things can turn around really quickly. In the end the most important thing is the result. I am very happy I was able to come through 7-5 in the third today."

Scheduled for Thursday are (5) Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez vs. (12) Spadea, (WC) Blake vs. (6) Haas, Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco vs. (2) Fernando "Gonzo" Gonzalez in a slap-fest, (15) Paradorn "The Thai Fighter" Srichaphan vs. (3) Ferrer, Andreev vs. Kohlschreiber, Chela vs. Santoro, (4) Robredo vs. Koubek, and Hanescu vs. (7) Massu.

Hantuchova Advances to Davenport Meeting at WTA New Haven

Willowy Slovak Daniela Hantuchova continued her hot streak Wednesday at the WTA stop at New Haven, coming from a set down to defeat No. 6 seed Patty Schnyder to set up a meeting with top seed Lindsay Davenport.

"I have so much respect for the way she plays," said Hantuchova, who contrarily appeared to show little respect by turning her back a number of times when Schnyder was getting ready to serve. "I just tried to keep fighting for every point. I went for my shots and it paid off."

Hantuchova was eventually cited by the chair umpire for a time violation for her slow play. Schnyder was willing to give the Slovak the benefit of the doubt.

"When I'm ready, I would like to start serving," Schnyder said. "I know she does it and it's her way, but I think on the serve, you should go with the pace of the server. She needs the time, I guess. I don't think it's really to break my rhythm or something, it's just that she needs it."

Also advancing was No. 2 seed Amelie Mauresmo (d. Likhovtseva), and un-seeds Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany (d. doubles partner Shaughnessy), China's Jie Zheng (d. Jackson), and Russian Anna Chakvetadze (d. countrywoman Kirilenko).

"Overall, I'm very happy with the way I played," said Mauresmo who dropped only four games. "I served big and was consistent except at the end where I got maybe a little bit too eager to finish her off."

On tap for Thursday are Davenport vs. Hantuchova, Groenefeld vs. Mauresmo, Medina Garrigues vs. Dementieva, and Zheng vs. Chakvetadze.

15-Year-Old American Glatch Tops No. 1 Seed at WTA Forest Hills

15-year-old high school junior Alexa Glatch stunned top-seeded Akiko Morigami 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Forest Hills Women's Classic in only her second WTA event.

The No. 460-ranked wildcard from Newport Beach, Calif., will also compete next week as a wildcard at the US Open.

Other players into the quarterfinals Wednesday were No. 3-seeded Sania Mirza (d. Peer), Czech Lucie Safarova (d. (2) Smashnova) and Slovak Martina Sucha (d. Diaz-Oliva).

On tap for the Thursday quarterfinals in Forest Hills are Benesova vs. Ondraskova, An.Serra Zanetti vs. Safarova, Mirza vs. Vinci, and Glatch vs. Sucha.

From the LA Times: "The father of a teenage Russian tennis professional was arrested on suspicion of assault after an alleged altercation with his daughter during a tournament earlier this month in California. Evgenia Linetskaya, 18, was treated by paramedics and taken to a hospital on August 5 after suffering a cut on the back of her head, which needed stitches, and mouth bruises. Her father, who is also her manager, was identified in a Carlsbad police report as Semen Linetskiy, 49. In the Women's Tennis Association Tour media guide he is listed as Simon Linetsky. Linetskiy was taken to the Vista jail in North San Diego County and released on bond. Carlsbad police lieutenant Bill Rowland and officials from the San Diego County district attorney's office said no charges had been filed. Linetskaya did not want to press charges, Rowland said. "It is her desire not to follow up," Rowland said. "At this point, she doesn't want to move forward." Linetskaya, through an intermediary, declined to comment."...World Anti-Doping Agency chairman Dick Pound took a break from rooting through Argentine players' garbage cans for needles to call on cycling officials to investigate the report that Lance Armstrong was doping back in 1999...More entertainment from the ever-optimistic Tennis Canada newsletter: "Also posing a threat to (Keziel) Juneau's national title hopes will be Mississauga, Ontario's third-seeded Kirill Sinitsyn. Sinitsyn reached the finals of the Indoor Championships before falling to Juneau 2-6, 0-6." Sinitsyn lost 2-and-0 in their last meeting? And she's a threat? To what, get double-bageled this time? And what's up with all the Lord of the Rings names for junior girls tennis players in Canada?...Croatia Davis Cup coach Nikki Pilic wants Goran Ivanisevic to play in the Davis Cup final if Croatia beats Russia in next month's semifinals: "Goran deserves to be in the team for the final, he was the main driving force behind our return to the world group. With him, I would always have an extra option," Pilic told the Jutarnji List daily. "Of course, before that we should somehow get those three points against the Russians."...This morning in New York, Roger Federer will ring the opening bell on the NASDAQ Stock Market...From People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA): "Tennis legend John McEnroe is raising his well-known voice, this time in defense of cats and dogs. McEnroe, who counts among his monumental achievements seven grand slam titles including three Wimbledon singles victories and four US Open singles championships, has just donated his time to shoot a brand-new public service announcement (PSA) for PETA. In the lighthearted PSA, McEnroe pokes fun at himself by unleashing a trademark tirade that's sure to get people hot under the collar about cat and dog overpopulation. "Neutering is good for his temper, it's good for his health, and it's the most important thing you can do to make a difference for homeless animals!" barks McEnroe after another actor challenges his decision to neuter his dog. "Did you know that shelters have to kill more than 4 million animals every year just because there aren't enough good homes out there? I can't have that on my conscience!" Also starring in the PSA is Roxie, herself a rescued PETA pooch."...Tennisreporters.net's Matt Cronin says Andy Murray rightly did not receive a US Open wildcard and the slam should remain American-centered: "I would have given (a wildcard) to Sam Querrey, who lost to Donald Young in the 18s Super Nationals final, instead of to Jan-Michael Gambill or Mark "The Scud" Philippoussis. The talented Querrey did fall to Antony Dupuis of France 6-4, 7-6(4) in the qualies on Wednesday. But give one to Andrew Murray? Yes as a player, and as an attraction, but if I'm the USTA, I'm not giving away wildcards to the Brits until they consistently do the same with US players at Wimbledon."...Russian Vera Douchevina has withdrawn from the US Open with a twisted ankle...The US Open men's singles champion will be awarded a 2006 Lexus GS 430. But does Fed already have one?...Before winning his first round of qualifying yesterday at the US Open, Andy Murray was in an auto accident when the cab he was riding in was rear-ended...Andy Roddick is a fan of the US Open Series after winning the 2005 edition: "I think it's cool because it's an overall judge of the consistency of the summer. And when people were questioning what kind of summer I was having, to finish No. 1 in the US Open Series gives some factual back-up."

[DUlrich1227]

Blake, Verdasco Orchestrate Upsets at ATP New Haven

Spain's Fernando Verdasco (d. (2) Gonzalez 7-6 in the third) and American wildcard James Blake (d. (6) Haas from a set down) scored upsets Thursday at the ATP stop in New Haven to advance into the quarterfinals.

"Yeah, he's a very big match, because I lost against him in Monte Carlo this year first round," Verdasco said of defeating the pounding Chilean. "It was clay, but for me it's very important, it's the same, you know, the whether it's clay or hard court, to have more confidence than I have now it's good, to win against him. He is a very tough player, on all the courts, for me it's very important to win this match."

Blake rebounded from a 6-1 beating by Haas in the first set.

"That first set, he steamrolled me," Blake said. "He was hitting the lines. He wasn't missing anything. But I tried not to get too down. I just looked for a little chink in the armor. In the second set, I tried to execute a little better, take it too him because defense was not doing it."

Seeds into the quarters Thursday were (3) Dave Ferrer (d. (15) Srichaphan), (4) Tommy Robredo (d. Koubek), and (5) Feliciano Lopez (d. (12) Spadea from a set down).

"I just wasn't making the shots," said Spadea, who watched 12 aces fly by during the encounter. "My return was off and that was the bottom line. You make him hit a couple more shots and that's the game. I couldn't even get the ball in play. So a couple of them were his aces; a couple of them were my mistakes. That's life when you are not focused and you are not grooved that extra amount, I guess."

Un-seeds into the quarters were Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela (d. Santoro), and Russian Igor Andreev (d. Kohlschreiber).

Scheduled for Friday are (4) Robredo vs. Hanescu, Juan Ignacio "The Spitting Snake" Chela vs. (WC) Blake, (5) Feliciano "F-Lo" Lopez vs. Fernando "Hot Sauce" Verdasco in an all-Spanish, and Andreev vs. (3) Ferrer.

15-Year-Glatch Keeps Winning at WTA Forest Hills

15-year-old phenom Alexa Glatch continued her break-out week Thursday at the WTA stop in Forest Hills, reaching the semifinals in only her second WTA event with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Slovak Martina Sucha.

Also into the semis were Indian media darling and No. 3 seed Sania Mirza (d. Vinci), and Czechs Iveta Benesova (d. Ondraskova) and Lucie Safarova (d. Ant. Serra Zanetti).

Friday' semifinals line up is Benesova vs. Safarova (Safarova leads career meetings 1-0), and Glatch vs. Mirza (first meeting).

Davenport, Mauresmo Advance Toward Meeting at WTA New Haven

Top-seeded Lindsay Davenport (d. Hantuchova) and No. 2 Amelie Mauresmo (d. Groenefeld) both advanced in straight sets Thursday at the WTA stop in New Haven, both now one match away from a meeting in the final.

"I think it would be wrong of me to expect that I can come out after seven or eight weeks and be perfect," said Davenport, getting some match play under her belt after a long layoff due to a back injury. "So there's always going to be aspects of my game that need to be worked on and stuff that you can really only get from playing matches. And that's like hitting a good serve and getting ready for the ball to come back."

Also into the semis were two unseeded players in Russian Anna Chakvetadze (d. Zheng), and Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues (d. (4) Dementieva).

"It was difficult for me to play at ten o'clock," Dementieva said. "But I have to say she was playing unbelievably well today. I was always down during the match. She didn't give me any easy points so I was fighting for every single ball."

Friday's schedule in New Haven is Medina Garrigues vs. Mauresmo, and Davenport vs. Chakvetadze.

With a win Friday, Davenport will re-take the No. 1 ranking from Maria Sharapova.

"Didn't know that. Not important," Davenport said. "We'll settle it once and for all at the end of the year."

[DUlrich1227]

Blake, Spaniards Advance at ATP New Haven

Unseeded James Blake kept the American flag flying Friday at the ATP stop in New Haven, with the wildcard and lone remaining U.S. representative outlasting Argentina's Juan Ignacio Chela 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-3 to move into the semifinals.

Also into the semis were two Spaniards in No. 3 seed Dave Ferrer (d. Andreev) and No. 5 Feliciano Lopez (d. countryman Verdasco in three), and unseeded Romanian Victor Hanescu who prevented a third Spaniard from reaching the semis with a grinding 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 win over No. 4 Tommy Robredo.

"It's always difficult to play against a friend," Lopez said. "We know each other since many years and he knows my game. I know his game, so it's such a difficult match to play. I was lucky that I win."

Hanescu says his hardcourt feel is kicking in just in time for the US Open.

"Usually I am not playing too much on hardcourts because I am -- until now I wasn't used to play on hardcourts," Hanescu said. "We don't have in Romania courts like this, so we have only claycourts and I don't know, this year I start to play better and better on this kind of courts, so I am feeling confident now and I am looking forward for the next matches and also for the US Open."

Lining up for the Friday semis are (WC) Blake vs. Hanescu, and an all-Spanish in (3) Ferrer vs. (5) Lopez.

Mirza Ends 15-Year-Olds Run at WTA Forest Hills

No. 3-seeded Indian Sania Mirza put herself in position to win a second career WTA Tour title, Friday ending the Cinderella run of unseeded 15-year-old American Alexa Glatch 6-4, 6-4.

In the final Mirza will face Lucie Safarova, who won the all-Czech battle with Iveta Benesova 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

The final will be the career-first meeting between Mirza and Safarova.

Davenport, Mauresmo in Heavyweight WTA New Haven Final

While the top players generally don't like to play the week before a slam, tennis fans will receive a treat Saturday in the WTA New Haven final when former No. 1s Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo face off.

Davenport defeated unseeded Russian teen Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 6-3, while Mauresmo struggled to a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-2 win over unseeded Spaniard Anabel Medina Garrigues to advance to her fourth New Haven final.

"I always play great players in the final here," Davenport said. "Amelie and I played such a close match at Wimbledon, and I'm looking forward to playing her again."

Davenport is looking for extra match play after an extended absence from the tour durung a back injury, and Mauresmo after taking a five-week respite after Wimbledon.

The moniker "former No. 1" will end for Davenport on Monday with the newest release of the WTA Rankings which will show the American ending Maria Sharapova's reign at No. 1 at only one week.

Davenport will have confidence on her side with eight straight wins over the Frenchwoman, leading the total career encounters 9-3.

Andy Murray coach Mark Petchey speaking with Tennis-X on his ward getting passed over for a US Open wildcard and using the slight as motivation to qualify Friday: "I don't think the kid needs any more extra drive personally, he's a self-starter, he's totally focused beyond belief -- he's focused on becoming the best tennis player he possibly can...He was disappointed, you can't deny it, I felt like he had such a great summer for an 18-year-old, at the back of what happened at Wimbledon as a carry-on, he (then) won two Challengers, he won rounds in the Masters Series events." And on Murray's shoulder and ankle injuries: "It's not surprising with his 11th week in a row (of tennis), that's just the way things have gone and it's given him a great platform to build-on points-wise and everything else, and it's been an invaluable experience for us to spend a lot of time together because this is obviously a fresh player-coach relationship, and the icing on the cake is to qualify for a grand slam so it means a lot."...American Justin Gimel-"blog" blogging for SI.com from the US Open: "As dysfunctional as the men's tour is, the women's tour blows it away. For example, it's impossible for there to be enough practice courts for men and women to share without some kind of bickering. This is probably because of the fact that women have a bizarre refusal to practice with their fellow competitors. It's insane -- they literally would prefer to hit four on a court with their coach than two on a court with another player. They live in Bizarro World. However, one of the benefits of having the women around is the ever-increasing desire for each and every young sassy player trying to outdo -- or in this case, under-dress -- the next...But I'd like to recommend to players both female and male, and even coaches out on the practice courts: If you resemble a beached whale, keep your gear on! Another dynamic I find interesting is the players' lounges at joint events. In these player-exclusive hangouts, you'll find two groups of women: On one side you have the WTA players, many of whom are very attractive and in great shape. Unfortunately for them, they have to share the space with the most beautiful one percent of female creatures on the planet: men's players' girlfriends and wives."...From the English version of Russia's Pravda on crazy tennis dads: "Similar incidents occur in foreign states as well. The father of world-famous sisters, Venus and Serena Williams, Richard Williams, is known for his tough character. The man became known for his racist statements and views about vital preferences for his daughters. Serena and Venus suddenly disappeared from tennis courts in 2003, after a series of triumphant victories. It was rumored that Richard Williams was behind the decision. It is noteworthy that Serena Williams started suffering inexplicable nervous breakdowns during tennis matches afterwards." Huh? Perhaps a shaky Russian -> English translation there...New ATP Chairman Etienne de Villiers has just picked up another job, as independent chairman for the BBC's Commercial Holdings Board...Kim Clijsters has told a Belgian newspaper she can see herself quitting tennis in 2-3 years: "I think I will stop at the end of 2007," Clijsters told the Het Laatste Nieuws daily. "My body is already giving me a lot of problems. Maybe I will still play the Diamond Games (in Antwerp) in 2008, as a goodbye tournament, but that will be it."...From the needling Simon Kuper of the Financial Times: "When you get close to a great athlete, you usually feel like a troll. They are so healthy their skin glistens, they take afternoon naps and, whether male or female, they could beat you up if it came to it. Kim Clijsters is different. Passing the Belgian in a corridor recently, I initially took her for a chubby peasant girl from a Brueghel painting. The only thing that marked her out as a professional athlete was that she was writing a text message, which is generally their hobby."...Look for the bottom half of the draw at the US Open to begin play on Monday and Tuesday...ESPN's Outside the Lines will profile Roger Federer on Tuesday night...The USTA's Chris Widmeyer defending Mark Philippoussis as a wildcard choice for the US Open: "One of the things we look for in the wildcards is someone who can add prestige to the tournament and there is no question Mark fits that category. He is a popular player here and New Yorkers enjoy his style of muscular play."...From the Brisbane Courier-Mail: "A US Open source said last night Mark Philippoussis was given his Flushing Meadows wildcard last week after Tennis Australia guaranteed an American man would be granted a 2006 Australian Open wildcard."...Rafael Nadal speaking to SI.com on bettering his English: "I don't take classes very often because I'm always abroad. My English is not good right now, but I have the courage to speak and that is a big thing for me. English is not a hard language to learn. It's just a matter of practice. I also understand a bit of Portuguese and a bit of Italian but I don't speak them."...The U.S. post office will honor Arthur Ashe with a postage stamp...Qualifiers to the US Open main draw on the women's side were Tian Tian Sun (CHN), Sandra Kloesel (GER), Pauline Parmentier (FRA), Tiffany Dabek (USA), Yung-Jan Chan (TPE), Ivana Lisjak (CRO), Anne Kremer (LUX), Maria Emilia Salerni (ARG), Sybille Bammer (AUT), Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE), Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR), Emma Laine (FIN), Stephanie Foretz (FRA), Virginia Ruano Pascual (ESP), Vania King (USA), and Martina Muller (GER), and on the men's side Robin Vik (CZE), Daniele Bracciali (ITA), Wesley Moodie (RSA), Glenn Weiner (USA), Peter Luczak (AUS), George Bastl (SUI), Noam Okun (ISR), Giorgio Galimberti (ITA), Paul Capdeville (CHI), Jonas Bjorkman (SWE), Tobias Summerer (GER), Andy Murray (GBR), Michael Lammer (SUI), Arnaud Clement (FRA), Gilles Elseneer (BEL), and Alex Bogomolov Jr. (USA).

[DUlrich1227]

No. 1 seed Maria Sharapova and Andre Agassi, possibly competing in his last US Open, will kick off play Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The matches will follow opening-night ceremonies featuring blues legend Bo Diddley, and closing with Ben Vereen singing the National Anthem, backed by the Songs of Solomon Choir from Harlem.

Agassi will face Romanian Razvan Sabau, while Sharapova squares off in a tougher encounter with Greece's Eleni Daniilidou.

The on-court ceremonies will also honor US Open Series winners Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters, who as the champions will each earn double their prize money at the Open.

[DUlrich1227]

Blake Faces F-Lo in ATP New Haven Final

Unseeded James Blake continues to look like a force entering next week's US Open, Saturday at the ATP stop in New Haven outlasting Romania's Victor Hanescu 7-6(4), 6-7(3), 6-1 to advance into the final.

"I am just so happy to be playing and now that it is going well and I feel like I'm healthy," Blake said. "I feel like things are starting to go my way, it's such a good feeling."

In the championship match the American will square off against No. 5-seeded Spaniard Feliciano Lopez, who defeated No. 3-seeded countryman Dave Ferrer 4-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Blake will try to add to his lone career title at 2002 in Washington, and Lopez to his lone win in Vienna last year.

It will be the first meeting between Blake and F-Lo.

The doubles final will be Americans (WC) Ram/Reynolds vs. Argentines Etlis/Rodriguez.

Davenport Masters Mauresmo for WTA New Haven Title

Lindsay Davenport, who will regain the world No. 1 mantle on Monday, made it an amazing nine in a row over Amelie Mauresmo Saturday, defeating the Frenchwoman 6-4, 6-4 to win her third title of the season.

"I'm a little happy and amazed to be sitting here winning," said Davenport, returning from a back injury. "There are a lot of things I'd like to improve on before the US Open but it's so satisfying to win the title. I was always struggling in the final. After all these years, I'm happy to finally pull it out."

Mauresmo played the final on the heels of her three-set semi on Friday in hot conditions.

"I think I recovered well physically, but she just played a bit better than me today," Mauresmo said. "Two things she did better than me today -- serving and returning. That's what the difference was. 6-4 6-4 is close but not close enough."

For Davenport in was her first New Haven title in her fifth final.

"I'm very happy to be here winning the title," Davenport said. "No matter how much experience or how long you have played you never really know what to expect after coming back from an injury. I really wanted to come in here and kind of test my back and play matches and see how everything held up.

Unseeded Safarova Stuns Mirza in WTA Forest Hills final

Unseeded Czech Lucie Safarova stunned No. 3 seed Sania Mirza from a set down 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to win her second career title and second of 2005 Saturday at the WTA stop in Forest Hills.

"Sania played a really good first set," Safarova said. "I improved in the second set and played to win. My strategy was to keep her running from side to side and push her -- not to be pushed. I am looking forward to the US Open."

It was the first career hardcourt title for Safarova after winning her first title on clay earlier this year at Estoril.

It was the first meeting between Mirza and Safarova.

The only WTA event with a 16-player draw, Forest Hills also had no doubles.

No. 1 seed Maria Sharapova and Andre Agassi, possibly competing in his last US Open, will kick off play Monday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. On-court ceremonies will honor US Open Series winners Andy Roddick and Kim Clijsters, who as the champions will each earn double their prize money at the Open...From the New Zealand Herald: "While (Maria) Sharapova is the femme fatale of women's tennis -- Anna Kournikova with talent -- and the new world No. 1, (Kim) Clijsters, a former world No. 1, is maintaining her girl-next-door image, the unruly hair, the strong physique and an air of understatement. Sharapova, 18, won Wimbledon in 2004; Clijsters is recognized as maybe the best player never to win a Grand Slam event. Kind of like the Phil Mickelson of women's tennis -- even though she is still only 22. Sharapova wouldn't be out of place on a catwalk. Clijsters wouldn't be out of place on a hockey field. Sharapova is already the most-photographed and most-interviewed female tennis player on the planet; Clijsters, while she does not avoid publicity, doesn't court it. Scarcely a word has ever passed her lips about the much-publicized but unexplained broken romance with the Australian uber-brat, Lleyton Hewitt."...From Calcutta's The Telegraph, India is looking forward to getting a new shipment of racquet technology: "Hi-tech tennis rackets would be the latest attraction in sports goods shops across the country with manufacturers claiming the use of nanotechnology and magnetic forces that promise more power and precision to the players. When the No. 1 men's player Roger Federer steps out at the US Open on Monday, he will be wielding a racket infused with nanoparticles that will make it feel more solid without any added weight. Similarly former champion Andre Agassi would be using a specially designed racket that can cup a ball on impact."...Andy Roddick says his foot injury suffered in Cincinnati is history: "It ended up being a spasm on the bottom of my foot...I was able to play practice sets starting Wednesday."...Serena Williams, coming straight into the interview room Saturday at the US Open after participating in the Arthur Ashe Kid's Day activities, answered media questions with her dog in her lap...From Fox Sports: "The professional tennis circuit is abuzz with reports of a love match between women's world No. 1 Maria Sharapova and US Open men's winner Andy Roddick. But Roddick, 22, ranked fourth in the world and renowned as having hit the fastest serve ever timed, said their friendship was platonic when he made an unexpected appearance at a promotion for a new fragrance endorsed by the Russian blonde with the shrill on-court cry."...If journalists being sent to the US Open by newspapers is any indication of tennis' popularity (or budget-cutting at newspapers), popularity is down again this year compared to last year...While the men will start play with the bottom half of the draw at the US Open, the women will start from the top for the beginning two days...Roger Federer on the ATP and players raising $250,000 so far for UNICEF: "We all did individual things, but I wanted to get all of us together to do something as a group. It was great fun, but more importantly it raised more needed funds for the tsunami victims."...For those dying to know, Roger Federer's favorite designer is Prada. Concerning his six-week sabbatical after Wimbledon, Fed said he didn't step on a court for a month...Roger Federer says the men's game is about the game and shotmaking, while the women's game is about personalities: "I have the feeling that because in women's tennis (personality) is much more important. I think in men's it's still the game that counts more. Maybe women's, it's sometimes a little bit more of their personality. Obviously, you know, they're more sexy, let's say, they show more skin, all these sort of things, and they talk more about that than actually their forehand and backhand." Uh oh...Andy Murray speaking to the Times Online on not getting respect in Britain, including the Brits not negotiating with the US Open for a wildcard: "Every single person in Britain is so negative about the young players. All they are waiting to do is just put them down, and I think this week I have showed that possibly I might go on and do well...Wimbledon's attitude has been a big disappointment. When I heard the US Open wanted to give me the wildcard and Wimbledon didn't want to do a trade, it made me quite cross."...Look for the remnants of Hurricane Katrina to make it a wet one this year at the US Open after a couple days in...Marat Safin is looking pretty gimpy in practice at the US Open, playing on his bum knee against his doctor's recommendation. Place your bets -- against.