As much as Serena is a shoe-in for the US Open this year....

[LanceStern]

I still can't help but be a little concerned about her consistency. She's torn through most of the women in her last two tournaments she won, but I wouldn't go right in and say she's going to curb stomp Victoria Azarenka or Vera Zvonareva or Marion Bartoli.

Those women have been beaten senseless enough now to know what to do to try and beat her (and all three have been close to beating her and has beaten her)...

So yea I'm hoping Serena brings her consistent A game so she can hoist the trophy. If she gets through azarenka I would feel really good about her chances.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Fair-minded comments.

In the case of mad-at-the-world Bartoli, her defeat of Williams was at Wimbledon--only Serena's 2nd event after the year off; the next time they played--on hardcourts--the outcome (along with Williams trying to get back into form) was different.

Additionally, with a 3-1 lead in the head-to-head--Serena's 3 victories on hard courts, Bartoli may not be a great threat, though you know how anything can happen in this whacky world.

Regarding Vera: well, this has not been a stellar year for her at all, and i'm thinking her 2010 majors results may be the best she will ever do. If that's the case, then i'm not so sure she will be much of threat (not that she was last year when it mattered most) when facing a Serena who won two recent USO series events.

 

[heftylefty]

...Serena will need to be dialed in, which she has shown she can do. I think it's her tournie to lose, but it's will not be a cakewalk.

 

[LanceStern]

I worry about bartoli because when she's dialed in she hits HARD off of both wings. Scary to watch sometimes.

Zvonareva reminds me of a lite-Dementieva

And azarenka has had Serena on the ropes before. Definitely serena's to lose though. Petra kvitova is one to watch as well.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Im on team Venus. I know she probably won't win, so if not, Serena winning will make me just as happy. Just really want to see Vee get another slam. She so should have beaten Clijsters when she had the chance last year.

 

[NadalAgassi]

7 slams is a huge underachievement for Venus. Unfortunately I think that is what she is now stuck with. Last years U.S Open was her last real shot at a slam, and unfortunately she blew it with that one bad tiebreak. With how often injured she now is, her age, and how her form has been going off late, I cant see another slam for her even amongst the current crop.

 

[MichaelNadal]

7 slams is a huge underachievement for Venus. Unfortunately I think that is what she is now stuck with. Last years U.S Open was her last real shot at a slam, and unfortunately she blew it with that one bad tiebreak. With how often injured she now is, her age, and how her form has been going off late, I cant see another slam for her even amongst the current crop.

She was very unlucky that Richard Williams also stuck a racquet in Serena's hands. There could have been a Venus-Slam in 02-03 instead.

 

[NadalAgassi]

She was very unlucky that Richard Williams also stuck a racquet in Serena's hands. There could have been a Venus-Slam in 02-03 instead.

Very true. She was incredibly unlucky to hit her peak just barely before Serena started peaking, and to have the exact same order of surface preference as Serena thus allowing her the edge on no surface vs the slightly better player. In addition to the sister thing which she visibly has a harder time coping with than Serena. Also being an up and comer when there was lots of competition with peak Hingis, peak Davenport, young Serena, still hanging on Graf, Pierce near her best, etc...

Just as Henin was IMO lucky that clay happened to be her best surface, the same surface that is the Williams, Sharapova, and nearly everyone elses worst, giving her a clear edge on a particular surface she can then compile wins relatively easily on. Along with peaking largely during Serena's down period and when many of the veterans were fading away, aiding her ability to win more on other surfaces as well.

Even with that though Venus still should have won more IMO. She should have atleast 10 slams.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Very true. She was incredibly unlucky to hit her peak just barely before Serena started peaking, and to have the exact same order of surface preference as Serena thus allowing her the edge on no surface vs the slightly better player. In addition to the sister thing which she visibly has a harder time coping with than Serena. Also being an up and comer when there was lots of competition with peak Hingis, peak Davenport, young Serena, still hanging on Graf, Pierce near her best, etc...

Just as Henin was IMO lucky that clay happened to be her best surface, the same surface that is the Williams, Sharapova, and nearly everyone elses worst, giving her a clear edge on a particular surface she can then compile wins relatively easily on. Along with peaking largely during Serena's down period and when many of the veterans were fading away, aiding her ability to win more on other surfaces as well.

Even with that though Venus still should have won more IMO. She should have atleast 10 slams.

I agree with everything you said in your post. It's been hard being a Venus fan. I felt like she was playing really well at the AO till the injury too. She had a great first half of 2010 as well and was back to 2 in the world, but something dumb always happens at the majors with her. Like when she beat herself at Wimby this year. I was pissed.

 

[NadalAgassi]

She also is one of the unluckiest players with injuries ever.

When I look at Venus and her abilities though, apart from Venus's consistency problems on slower surfaces, she and Serena are both up at the very top in power, speed, shotmaking, offensive and defensive abilities, which is a bit unusual for a 7 slam winner in the WTA. Of course a 7 slam winner is always a great player but you dont usually say their raw abilities look on par with the best in history. You dont say that about Goolagong, Bueno (though they were beautiful to watch), or Henin. That is why 7 slams just doesnt seem right for her. She should have more than that.

 

[Andy Zarzuela]

I really think Venus can win 2-3 more slams if she can be healthy and dedicate herself 100% to the sport. She has always been more passionate about her tennis than Serena, but stays injured almost as much.

Her foot speed isn't quite what is was a few years ago, but if she can get back to the late 2008 form, she could be a dominant force in the game still.

People keep trying to retire her, but considering how long of breaks she takes, she comes into Slams cold and wins several matches....it's almost inhuman like to go in without any match practice and beat some top girls that have been playing consistently year round.

The only good thing though is that not playing every tournament week to week is that she is saving her body for the important events. Her serve is just as good as ever when confident and her shot making abilities are still there. An out of shape Venus can still outdefend almost anyone. I just hope she gets her quickness back soon...She looked a little slow in Eastbourne, but picked up a notch at Wimbledon...but I think part of it is she is protecting her left knee.

If Venus can match even the form she had at last year's US Open, I see another shot at winning the whole event. I am hoping for a Quarterfinal finish at least for her---she needs something to build on for next year. A win would be great!

 

[celoft]

Wertheim predicts a Serena v. Sharapova final with Serena winning #14.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/20...08/25/us-open-womens/index.html?sct=tn_t11_a0

 

[jones101]

I love Serena but is she morphing into Sideshow Bob lol?

 

[split-step]

To beat Serena on a non-clay surface, first and foremost you have to serve well. You also need to move well and be consistently accurate off the ground.

If Kvitova is playing some of her best tennis, she can take Serena. Azarenka won't even be a test for Serena.

 

[Federerx16]

I really think Venus can win 2-3 more slams if she can be healthy and dedicate herself 100% to the sport. She has always been more passionate about her tennis than Serena, but stays injured almost as much.

Her foot speed isn't quite what is was a few years ago, but if she can get back to the late 2008 form, she could be a dominant force in the game still.

People keep trying to retire her, but considering how long of breaks she takes, she comes into Slams cold and wins several matches....it's almost inhuman like to go in without any match practice and beat some top girls that have been playing consistently year round.

The only good thing though is that not playing every tournament week to week is that she is saving her body for the important events. Her serve is just as good as ever when confident and her shot making abilities are still there. An out of shape Venus can still outdefend almost anyone. I just hope she gets her quickness back soon...She looked a little slow in Eastbourne, but picked up a notch at Wimbledon...but I think part of it is she is protecting her left knee.

If Venus can match even the form she had at last year's US Open, I see another shot at winning the whole event. I am hoping for a Quarterfinal finish at least for her---she needs something to build on for next year. A win would be great!

Venus wasn't playing all that great last year. Her movement was hampered because of the lingering knee injury that forced her to miss the entire US Open Series and her backhand was horrendous. Her forehand, sheer guts and a somewhat easy draw got her as far as it did.

I agree that her form in 2008 was excellent. With that form she would have won the Open in 2009 and 2010 easily and that's saying a lot about the decreased level of play the past few years.

 

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

To beat Serena on a non-clay surface, first and foremost you have to serve well. You also need to move well and be consistently accurate off the ground.

If Kvitova is playing some of her best tennis, she can take Serena. Azarenka won't even be a test for Serena.

Kvitova has a sharp, effective serve and can be accurate, but she's no great mover--I feel its something she really needs to work on, as she's not the most athletic player around (though it was good enough to defeat Sharapova in the Wimbledon final). Moreover, Serena can return serves like few can, so Kvitiova's serve may not be as big a weapon, unless Williams has a very off game.

 

[boredone3456]

To beat Serena on a non-clay surface, first and foremost you have to serve well. You also need to move well and be consistently accurate off the ground.

If Kvitova is playing some of her best tennis, she can take Serena. Azarenka won't even be a test for Serena.

Azarenka has beaten Serena on a hardcourt before, Miami 2008 I believe, not only did she beat her, she destroyed her. Serena wasn't at her best but Azarenka still creamed her. Azarenka also nearly beat her twice at the Australian Open: in 2009 when she won the first set before retiring, and the following year she was up a set and 4-0 in the Quarters before having the worlds biggest major league meltdown and spraying errors all over the place while Serena finally found her consistency. Azarenka has the tools to test Serena, she has done so in the past. Serena would be a little foolish if she were to completely overlook her as a threat should they indeed in the 3rd round.

As for the rest of your post, I agree. You need t move well to chance down her shots, and serve well, because you have little chance of achieving multiuple breaks of Serena's serve on a hardcourt. Also...I would add, you need to keep your errors to a total minimum. Take what Serena gives you and give her little in return

 

[Spin Doctor]

I love Serena but is she morphing into Sideshow Bob lol?

Is that her real hair or a wig? I actually think it looks good on her.

That bodysuit and nasty long nails is trashy as hell though.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I still can't help but be a little concerned about her consistency. She's torn through most of the women in her last two tournaments she won, but I wouldn't go right in and say she's going to curb stomp Victoria Azarenka or Vera Zvonareva or Marion Bartoli.

Those women have been beaten senseless enough now to know what to do to try and beat her (and all three have been close to beating her and has beaten her)...

So yea I'm hoping Serena brings her consistent A game so she can hoist the trophy. If she gets through azarenka I would feel really good about her chances.

I think that Azarenka has a real chance to beat Serena if she is off her game. At a grand slam anything can happen. Serena could lose in the third round and I wouldn't be surprised.

 

[Amelie Mauresmo]

I love Serena's weave it looks natural and it's a lot better than Venus weave. Venus girlfriend get yourself to the salon ASAP and get your weave fixed!!!

 

[MichaelNadal]

I love Serena's weave it looks natural and it's a lot better than Venus weave. Venus girlfriend get yourself to the salon ASAP and get your weave fixed!!!

OMG do I wish Venus would stop with the terrible hat-hair and cheap clip on extensions. Her hair was so much better from 01-04-ish. And at Wimby 08.

 

[TERRASTAR18]

Azarenka has beaten Serena on a hardcourt before, Miami 2008 I believe, not only did she beat her, she destroyed her. Serena wasn't at her best but Azarenka still creamed her. Azarenka also nearly beat her twice at the Australian Open: in 2009 when she won the first set before retiring, and the following year she was up a set and 4-0 in the Quarters before having the worlds biggest major league meltdown and spraying errors all over the place while Serena finally found her consistency. Azarenka has the tools to test Serena, she has done so in the past. Serena would be a little foolish if she were to completely overlook her as a threat should they indeed in the 3rd round.

As for the rest of your post, I agree. You need t move well to chance down her shots, and serve well, because you have little chance of achieving multiuple breaks of Serena's serve on a hardcourt. Also...I would add, you need to keep your errors to a total minimum. Take what Serena gives you and give her little in return

and how did aza fair against serena this year?

 

[bluetrain4]

Serena has an excellent chance to win, but I don't think, at all, that it's guaranteed, for many of the reasons already discussed.

But, I'm betting on her.

 

[NadalAgassi]

With Clijsters out of the Open and Kvitova and Na in crap form at the moment, Serena is a guaranteed winner. Sharapova cant beat her, that is for sure. Who remaining is a real threat. Kuznetsova is flaking out majorly at the moment after some mildy promising signs early in the year, if she would get her head together maybe she could atleast push Serena if they meet. Venus sadly is not a real threat right now, maybe not ever again, especialy not to Serena if they meet. The only thing Wozniacki and Zvonareva are heading towards is a big rankings crash. Azarenka is not a threat to Serena.

 

[boredone3456]

and how did aza fair against serena this year?

Azarenka is one of the streaky ones on the tour. Serena did beat her over the summer, true, but Azarenka is still one of the more consistent players on the tour this year and is notoriously up and down. Serena has whalloped her before and has also struggled against her before. To just say that Serena is going to whallop her now is a little bit foolish, given that of all the people in the draw Azarenka is one of a handful who has proven she can beat Serena and test her at majors. Personally to just go "oh shes not a threat" after twice she nearly denied her Australian Opens and she made mince meat out of Serena once in Miami is short sighted in the extreme. Do I think Azarenka will beat her, probably not, but to say she has absolutely nothing in her arsenal to challenge Serena when history has proven she can make Serena sweat when she is playing well is a little narrow minded. Is Serena the favorite no matter who she plays, yes...does that mean we should justhand her the trophy and skip the entire tournament...no.

 

[TMF]

Serena has an excellent chance to win, but I don't think, at all, that it's guaranteed, for many of the reasons already discussed.

But, I'm betting on her.

That just tells how incredibly weak the current women's field at the USO. You have the best player(Clijsters) isn't playing, and you have a player(Serena) who's been out for a year is the favorite. All pressure is on Serena...if she doesn't win, she isn't that good. Graf in the 90s would have a field day with this draw.

 

[NadalAgassi]

Yeah Clijsters who is 2-7 lifetime vs Serena and who hasnt won a tournament since January is "best player". Also first Serena was too old to be realistically expected to win according to genius TMF, yet now if she doesnt win she isnt any good. Lastly Graf of the 90s? Do you mean 27-29 year old Graf who was losing in straight sets to Coetzer (twice, walloped both times), Schynder, and Zvereva in slams, LOL!

 

[TMF]

Yeah Clijsters who is 2-7 lifetime vs Serena and who hasnt won a tournament since January is "best player". Also first Serena was too old to be realistically expected to win according to genius TMF, yet now if she doesnt win she isnt any good. Lastly Graf of the 90s? Do you mean 27-29 year old Graf who was losing in straight sets to Coetzer (twice, walloped both times), Schynder, and Zvereva in slams, LOL!

When did you ever have an era that has a 30 yrs old player out of action for a year and suddenly is the favorite at the slam? Seles was out for awhile after her rehap, and she struggled to win despite she was still in her ealy 20s. Why? B/c the level of competition doesn't allow that to happen, unlike today.

And don't undermine Clijsters...she is the 2 times defending champion and has beaten Serena in 2009 USO. That's like taking Nole or Rafa out of the equation in the men's side.

I've heard posters in here have said many times about today's players choked, mentally weak, double-fault machine, 1 dimensional, weakest #1 players ever, blah blah blah. But now I have to hear how great the level of competition right now. LOL.

 

[NadalAgassi]

Nobody is saying the competition is great now. If that is what you determined from my post than you are even more incredibly dumb than we all already know you are (which is saying something). However some bits of reality:

Serena >>> Kim

Seles couldnt win slams upon her return since she is nowhere near as talented or athletic as Serena, and her dedication to fitness even makes Serena look great.

Graf at this age was retiring. Serena is just restarting an assault on many more slams.

 

[Polaris]

As much as Serena is a shoe-in for the US Open this year....

I agree. She needs better shoes if she is going to win the USO. Nike has their job cut out for them. May the person with the best shoes win!

 

[Outbeyond]

I think it's shoo-in, sweetie. But that's OK. We know what you mean!