French Open qualifying continues

Playing on an injured leg, Lenka Wienerova lost her second round French Open qualifying match today to Lauren Albanese. I was disappointed, and I hope she is healthy soon.

Michelle Larcher de Brito advanced to the third round of qualifying, with a win over Yuliana Fedak.

Family Circle Cup, day 5--in and around the grounds

The Family Circle Cup had some special musical guests today. The Charleston International Festival of Choirs is in progress, so a couple of the choirs came over to sing the national anthem. The morning anthem was performed by the Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, and the evening anthem was sung by the Cherokee High School Girls Traveling Choir from New Jersey. They both sounded great; it was a pleasure to hear choral music.

I was walking around the grounds today and saw a familiar figure in front of me. It was Lenka Wienerova, with her gear bag slung over her shoulder and a pair of shoes in her hand. She walked across the lawn and out of sight, and I assume that she is doing some Fed Cup training on Daniel Island.

Murphy Jensen interviewed Caroline Wozniacki on the lawn during Happy Hour today. I heard some of the interivew, which was very long. Wozniacki talked about her first pro tournament (she lost to Patty Schnyder in the first round), her childhood tennis habits, her unusual backhand slice (two hands), and her tennis idols (Hingis and Graf).

Tennis outfit of the day: Elena Dementieva, who looked stunning in orange.

Look out, Slovakian tennis---here comes Wienerova!

On Saturday, I wrote about how impressed I was with Lenka Wienerova's athleticism and grace. I didn't get to see her win her second qualifying match, but I did see her play most of her first round match against Alexa Glatch, another player I enjoy watching. Wienerova took the first set 6-4, but went down 2-5 in the second. I expected a third set, but Wienerova suddenly reeled off five games in a row, and did so with such finesse that it was a sheer delight to watch her do it. Serving well, defending well, slicing the ball, and exhibiting some very nice hands along with her athletic skills--the young Slovakian put on quite a show.

One thing that made this match very unusual: I'm not sure I've ever seen as many drop shots--not to mention successful drop shots--hit in one match. And by both players. It was just drop shot after drop shot, with one or two drop volleys tossed in. Glatch herself is a player with a variety of skills, but she couldn't keep up with the spirited Wienerova.

When the match was over, Wienerova was mobbed by autograph seekers, and as she left the club court, we initiated some applause for her. It quickly spread throughout the stands, and Wienerova left Althea Gibson with a big smile on her face.