"If we smile too hard our wax might crack."Defending US Open champs Roger Federer + Serena Williams attended the much-anticipated US Open draw ceremony which was broadcast live for the first time on ESPN News today. BTW - nice moves ESPN. Nice.
The big news on the boy's side was the placing of Fed + Rafael Nadal in opposite halves of the draw meaning they could only meet in the final. The Swiss maestro looks to have a relatively smooth ride to another Flushing Meadow semifinal where he could run into Novak Djokovic or Andy Roddick. He could face a possible meeting with former champ Lleyton Hewitt in the third round and Roland Garros finalist Robin Soderling or US Open Series winner Sam Querrey in the quarterfinals.
The draw gawds weren't kind to Rafa who opens against a returning Richard Gasquet and could face World No. 2 Andy Murray in the semifinals (a rematch of last year's semi won by the Brit baller) if he gets by potential road blocks like Juan Martin del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
The Sisters Sledge were placed in the same half of the draw and could only meet in the semifinals this time around. Venus has a potential fourth rounder with dangerous floater and '05 champ Kim Clijsters. Top seed Dinara Safina could meet up with Jelena Jankovic in the quarterfinals which would be a rematch of their Cincinnati final won by the Serb. And Rogers Cup titlist Elena Dementiva faces a potential blockbuster third rounder with '06 champ Maria Sharapova.
Click here to view the boy's draw and here to view the ladies's draw. And make sure to check back tomorrow for my preview of the year's final major!
(image via ap)
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ReplyDeletehttp://www.tennischannel.com/usopen_sweeps/
roger looks so hot in a white shirt...mmm
ReplyDeleteWe shall see no? Rafa to the final. Interesting no?
ReplyDeleteThank you for the breakdown, Rich.
ReplyDeleteMuy interesante that the draw does not pit Roger and Rafa against each other in the semis, no?
Also, Rich, you know that Ms. Serena got her wax statue and visited it today? They sculpted her in her belly shirt and gladiator boots. I was like, "Okay!"
But I *love* this picture.
Why do they remind me of an ice cream sandwich? Is it the curly silver trophies?
One more thing -
ReplyDelete"The Sisters Sledge were placed in the same half of the draw and could only meet in the semifinals this time around"
Why do they keep doing this???