I was pleased when a New York Times tennis writer suggested that fans watch the second round U.S. Open match featuring Patty Schnyder and Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. I could watch both clever lefties play for hours, with their drops and spins and sometimes artistic strategies. 22nd seed Martinez Sanchez hasn't played much lately because of a knee injury, but she was nevertheless entertaining. Schnyder lost some opportunities to win the first set, but she won it via a tiebreak, and then won the second set 6-3. With her career winding down (I'm in some denial about that), it was great to see her get to the third round.Top seed Caroline Wozniacki defeated Chang Kai-Chen 6-0, 6-0, and Maria Sharapova defeated Iveta Benesova 6-1, 6-2. The two are now very close to a round of 16 meeting, and all eyes will be on that match.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands lost a close match to Andre Petkovic. The German danced even more tonight. If she continues to win, she's going to need a deejay. Svetlana Kuznetsova, Vera Zvonareva and Maria Kirilenko all advanced, making it a strong day for the top Russians.
It was a very hot, very windy, very difficult day, but that didn't tempt either ESPN or U.S. Open website officials to let us get even a glimpse of a match that lasted three hours and thirteen minutes. In fact, Dominka Cibulkova and Kateryna Bondarenko spent an hour and 42 minutes just working out their third set. Cibulkova defeated Bondarenko 6-2, 5-7, 7-6. Is there a back or hip injury coming soon? I hope not, but Cibulkova has a significant history of back and hip problems.
A final note: Kaia Kanepi, Yanina Wickmayer, Chan Yung-Jan, and Alexandra Dulgheru all advanced to the third round.
4 comments:
Hi, I'm a long time reader of your blog, I just normally don't post... I really do love this blog though and I hope that you continue it for years to come. Anyway, Peng has always been talented. I've never actually seen her play (in person, obviously seen matches of hers), but I remember a few years ago when she beat Clijsters and Kim talked about how she could be top 5 easy. It obviously hasn't happened, but she has talent. Hope she gets it together because I do love me some 2 handers on both sides.
Actually, Clijsers said that Peng had played like a top-5 player that day. And she had. But Peng, unfortunately, rarely brings her top game to a singles match. She's a really good doubles player, however, and is more consistent playing with a partner.
I like watching her, too, and I like her persona. She showed last night what a dangerous floater she can be.
Thanks for your kind words about the blog!
Well, I phased out about the streaming yesterday and didn't catch all the matches I wanted to. So how did Peng beat Radwanska? Just over- powering Radwanska's serves or ? I like Martinez Sanchez but was glad Schnyder won. I have said before that I want Schnyder to make some noise before she retires. But those two being in a match together-fun!
The Radwanska-Peng match wasn't shown on TV or on the U.S. Open website, and I didn't search for it anywhere else. When Peng is on, though, she finds those two-handed angles that Bartoli creates.
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