PHOTO OP: Istanbul eight (well, seven)

These photos crack me. I never have high expectations for the lady ballers' attempts at fashion because it's not their focus - that would be tennis. But I can't help but giggle when I see what they come up with. Well, most of them anyway.

How amazing does Petra Kvitova look here? 'Effortless' would be the word that comes to mind for her in the photo - and 'natural.' Maria Sharapova looks good (and she's got that pose down pat). The girl does love a camera lens. And, no, your eyes aren't buggin' out. That's not Victoria Azarenka or her mom in the middle with the black dress - it's WTA CEO Stacey Allaster. The Belarussian was busy winning Luxembourg this weekend.

Um, I think I'll stop here. It's the end of the year, the last hurrah, the "Final Countdown...da-na-ne-na, da-na-nun-dun-dun" so let the others dress up as awkwardly as they want. Out of all the competitors fighting for the 8 coveted spots at the WTA Championships all year long, these girls made it to Istanbul (and not that other year-end thing going on - what is the point of it anyway?) and deserve to put on their highest heels, weirdest dresses, cakey makeup and celebrate their asses off. So let 'em.

P.S. Why does Sam Stosur look like she's photo bombing this shit? Ok, now I'll stop.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: There's absolutely nothing awkward about this picture

Yup. Still stunned.

[Photo(s) credit: Getty Images]

VIDEO VAULT: Stosur might still be stunned

Sam Stosur needed to play the match of her life and she did just that, upending Serena Williams 6-2, 6-3 to win the US Open and her first major title. The way she owned the court against the 13-time Grand Slammer was pretty impressive. But that's the only way a lady baller is going to beat ReRe in a major final and she was on point from start to finish.

Sammy's power and serve were in full effect and her strategy of hitting and serving right at ReRe to take away angles and draw attackable balls was uber-smart. ReRe is fast but not necessarily quick to get out of her own way when a ball is screaming towards her. Other lady ballers take note.

It must feel incredibly satisfying to be able to execute your A-game at the highest level under the greatest pressure with only two sets and a living legend separating you from your lifelong dream. So cheers to you Sammy. Can't wait for the Australian Open (no pressure, really).

[Video: US Open]

Celebrating 40 years of Lacoste at Roland Garros

I wanted to give props to Lacoste for the 40 years of sponsoring one of the best tourneys on the planet, Roland Garros. Of course, I needed to start with the great kits they gave their lady ballers this year (love the boys, too, but I showed my appreciation already), in this case Sam Stosur + Alize Cornet, and the outfits for the chair umpires and line judges:

The French sportswear brand has also dedicated a section of their website to mark this milestone:

It features a fun video highlighting their heritage, the 2011 Roland Garros Collection and a special edition polo and t-shirt for men and women celebrating the partnership:

Each piece showcases a triple logo: the iconic crocodile, the Roland Garros trophy and the official RG logo.

So, if you get the chance check it out!

[Photo(s): Getty Images, AFP PHOTO / MIGUEL MEDINA]

PHOTO OP: Special spectacles

Reporter: "I think my frames might be better than yours. What do you say?"

Sam Stosur: "Might, mate. Might. Next question..."

[Photo(s): Ezra Shaw/Getty Images]

MEDIA MASHUP: WTA celebrates year-end Championships, launches new logo

Seven of the eight lady ballers who qualified for the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships in Doha made their way to the official draw ceremony last night. Roland Garros champ Francesca Schiavone, US Open champ Kim Clijsters, Wimbledon + US Open finalist (edit: and new World No. 2 today) Vera Zvonareva, World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Roland Garros finalist Sam Stosur got their glam on before making their way to the event. The eighth qualifier, Victoria Azarenka, was busy beating Maria Kirilenko in Moscow for her second title of the year and fifth overall.

The tourney begins tomorrow and features a round robin format with the lady ballers broken out into two groups. The Maroon group features Wozzi, Fran, Sam and Elena while Kimmie, Bepa, Vika and JJ make up the White group. View the full singles draw here.

The ladies also helped tour Chairman & CEO Stacey Allaster, joined here by President of the Qatar Tennis Federation Nasser Ghanim Al Khelaifi (4th from left) and Tournament Director of the WTA Championships Doha 2010 Karim Alami (5th from left), launch the revamped identity for the WTA brand including a new logo. Via the WTA tour:

The new mark is designed to serve as a distinctive and modern reminder of the captivating athleticism and excitement that has driven the international popularity and growth of women's pro tennis and placed it firmly at the nexus of sport and entertainment.

The design of the new brand image departs from conventional sport logos by not featuring a figure of a female tennis player, but rather putting the emphasis on the letters W, T and A. The symbol also incorporates subtle references to the sport: the oval shape of the mark is a reference to both the imprint a tennis ball leaves on the court and to the shape of a racquet, while the yellow circle as the crossbar of the A recalls a tennis ball. The new core brand identity will be fully integrated throughout the WTA and women's tennis, including in TV graphics, print materials, tournament branding, advertising, promotion and digital and social media in all its forms throughout the 2011 season.

Here's some video promoting the new logo:



Check out more images from the draw ceremony here. Listen, I know I didn't comment on each lady baller's outfit but I didn't want to sound like a broken record. You guys know how I feel about their repeated attempts at 'fashion' for these events. At least their consistency gives me comfort, like a pair of ratty, worn-in sweatpants. Heaven.

Today, the ladies were given the chance to leave their mark on this year's Championships by offering up their hand prints before heading to their pre-tourney pressers. Here's Wozzi's helping:

BONUS: Hello make up man. Even Elena looks intrigued. Who you be?

[Top image + video: WTA tour, Elena image: Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Fisting it

 

"Ok, just smile and pump, smile and pump..."

See what I mean? It's just a pre-presser for Tokyo and not the baller party but they've still got them doing some freaky stuff on stage. Let's hope that whatever they've got in store for them at the actual party has nothing to do with fists or pumps. *shivers*

In any case I bet JJ's channeling her best NaturAna. I mean, it's not like she hasn't done THAT before.

 [Photo(s): Getty Images]

HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Days Five + Six

Day 5

Q. How have you found the rhythm of your serve, because you're serving very well?

RAFAEL NADAL: Well, Toni arrives and everything under control. No, seriously, I don't know. That's pretty strange, because I wasn't serve very well the previous days. I started to serve well one or two days before the competition. But the week of practice, I wasn't serve really well, no? I changed a little bit the grip, like five or six days ago, because I felt when I played against the wind I didn't have free points. So I needed that, no? So I tried to play the serve a little bit more aggressive. For the moment, it's working really well, so I going to try keep playing like this. And, sure, serve like this is a big confidence on my game.

Q. Considering your success at Roland Garros and a good run at Australia this year, do you feel right now you are as poised as you've ever been in your career, both mentally and physically, to get to semis, to get to a final, and to actually contend for this championship?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah. Why not? I think I've had a pretty consistent year, and now to get through -- I've never been past the second round here, so now to be in the fourth round is a big jump. I think it's just the kind of following on from the year I've had. It's pleasing to now back it up in another Grand Slam and to be playing well. Yeah, once you get to this point, you never know what can happen. So if you keep playing well, then, yeah, can you find yourself in maybe semis or finals. If I've been there once, I definitely want to try to be there again.

Q. Do you feel as confident as you've ever felt in this particular campaign where you are right now, as confident as you've ever been in your career?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Yeah, absolutely. Like I said, I never had a good US Open. If I wasn't feeling as confident as what I've ever been here, then I think there's something wrong. So I think I'm playing well and hitting the ball well. Yeah, I think I have a good chance.

Q. We see your mother as a coach, but how do you work physically?

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: You mean fitness?

Q. Yes, fitness.

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Yeah, I do have -- well, I don't have a fitness coach. I have some other people working with me, but my mom, she's definitely the one who's traveled with me. That's the person that I feel more comfortable with. So fitness is a big part of my game, and, you know, physically I feel pretty good playing all these years on the tour. So I always take, you know, lots of time during the offseason to get ready physically before I start my practice.

Q. Do you ever ask your mother to be a little more calm when she's watching, or...

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: I always ask her, but I realize it's very difficult to watch and not be able to help. She's very emotional, and she really wants me to win. So it's kind of hard, because she's not only my coach, she's my mom. Well, I guess it's just very emotional for her.

Q. Does she know that she's very good on television? Because she looks so...

ELENA DEMENTIEVA: She hates when, you know, the camera goes on her. (Laughter.) She hates it.

Q. How much time do you spend in New Jersey?

KIM CLIJSTERS: Ooh, um, after I played that event in Brussels, I flew over to New Jersey for a few days afterwards. So I was there until, yeah, we left to Cincinnati. And then kind of in between Montreal and the US Open I was there for a couple of days. And before Indian Wells. You know, like whenever it fits with my schedule, obviously now. When I wasn't playing I spent more time here, obviously, in the summer. I was at our house more. But now time is kind of divided between going to tournaments and being there.

Q. Can you compare sort of the traditional lifestyle in Belgium with Jersey life?

KIM CLIJSTERS: I mean, it's home. They're both home. I think you create that home atmosphere. You know, I even try to create it in our hotel room. No, I mean, it's obviously nice to go to a place that you're familiar and you can cook yourself and do everything kind of yourself. But obviously, you know, my childhood memories are in Belgium. You know, I still live in the same street as my parents used to live, where I grew up; my grandparents live next door. I mean, that's what I love, and that's obviously what I go back to, you know, when I go back after the US Open. That's what I look forward to the most is going back and just being there.

Q. If Rafa were to win here and complete the career slam, how do you think that will change the way his record is looked at, his career is looked at, in comparison with Roger's?

ANDY MURRAY: I don't know. I hope he doesn't win the tournament this year (smiling). But, I mean, his record is incredible. You know, for someone so young, he's won pretty much everything, you know, bar here. You know, he's made a semifinal here a couple of times. If he wins, that's obviously great for him. But, I mean, his career is pretty impressive as it is anyway. He's won on all the surfaces; he's won Olympic gold; he's won however many tournaments. I'm sure he'd love to win here, but I don't think I mean, I'm sure for him it would be incredibly nice. It wouldn't change the way I view him as a player if he wins the US Open. To me, he's one of the greatest ever right now. He's going to win more slams. He's going to get closer to however many Sampras won, however many Roger wins by the end of his career.

Q. What are your thoughts on the speed of this court versus the speed at Wimbledon and how that affects Rafa's game?

ANDY MURRAY: It's quite clear the balls are a lot faster, a little bit harder to control the balls. Guys are serving harder. But I think the court itself I think grass is definitely still quicker than here. I just think because of the warm weather and obviously the balls being they seem very light in comparison to the Slazengers, which are pretty heavy. I think it's just a little bit harder to control the ball on the return. Obviously guys serve a little bit bigger, which might make it a bit harder for Rafa to break.

Q. You had such a wonderful breakthrough obviously in Paris. A lot of people might have expected you enjoy, sort of lose the rest of the season because you achieved this great thing. You really have seem to have reset yourself perfectly and are putting yourself in position again with another Grand Slam.

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Thank you.

Q. Was it mentally difficult to get over that and get yourself ready for the hard court?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Yes, was difficult, but new experience give you the chance to make a new step. So everything that is new is maybe at the start a little bit slow and then came back, because I won the championship at Roland Garros. Is not another person. I have the chance to play again in a big Grand Slam like this. I want to do well. I have the quality and the opportunity to do it.

Q. So it made you hungrier?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Yeah.

Q. You spoke in the past about some of the books you've been reading. What have you been reading this summer?

ANA IVANOVIC: I've been reading a lot Stieg Larsson's books, The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo and The Girl Who Played With Fire. I'm on the third book. I've read about 50 pages in the last few weeks. I haven't had much time to read. Just trying to take a lot of walks and spend time outside. Didn't spend too much time in the room.

Q. Back to the Stieg Larsson books. The main character, Elizabeth Salander, she's a feisty character. Do you get any inspiration from that? She takes no nonsense from anyone.

ANA IVANOVIC: I do recognize myself in some of them. I do get very stubborn sometimes. That's a little bit annoying to my coaches. But, hey, you have to take the bad, too.

Q. Talking of the best, trying to perform the best you can, your outfit was really amazing. Could you talk to us about why you had that beautiful outfit and top it off with a victory.

VENUS WILLIAMS: I mean, so far this year my outfits have been based off of cities that I play in. This outfit was really about New York. It's firework bursts actually on the dress. It's like bursts of fireworks. It's about a celebration of me playing my best obviously at home and kind of doing what I love and being able to wear something fun while I do it. So just always trying to do something fun on the court.

Q. Speaking of EleVen designs, have any female tennis players approached you trying to rob some of your designs?

VENUS WILLIAMS: You know, that will be fun. As my company continues to grow, maybe there will be some other representatives. Obviously, EleVen is about sport, but I don't think the primary focus will be tennis as it grows. It's just a small feature.

Day 6

Q. Have you looked a bit ahead [in the draw?] Do you know what's coming possibly next round and the round after?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah, I saw Montanes won in his match against Nishikori. I will play him in the next round, which will be a very difficult match. We played many times. We had tough matches. Yeah, I think here was the first round last year we had a tough four setter, I think. He's a good player. It's gonna be tough.

Q. Do you know what might happen the round after that?

ROBIN SODERLING: Yeah. Everybody has been telling me that since the draw came out. I'm going against Roger in the quarters. He still needs to win two more matches, and I still have to win one more. It's still far ahead.

Q. Does that bother you people have been telling you, or it's gonna happen no matter what you do?

ROBIN SODERLING: No, I mean, I'm the fifth seed, so I know I'm gonna play one of the four top guys in quarters. I mean, they're all good players, so it doesn't really matter who I'm playing.

Q. The other day you spoke about how much you looked up to Maria and that you had never had the chance to meet her. Can you describe any interaction that you had with her before or after the match today?

BEATRICE CAPRA: Before the match, you know, she would just walk past me and kind of like give me a glare, which is kind of intimidating. (Laughter.) You know, after the match when we shook hands, she was really nice. She said, Great tournament. Keep up the hard work. You know, I think she's a really nice person. Yeah.

Q. What did that mean to you?

BEATRICE CAPRA: It meant a lot. It really meant a lot to me that she said that. She didn't have to say anything. But, I mean, it encourages me, I guess.

Q. Did you see Francesca Schiavone's shot between the legs?

ROGER FEDERER: I think I did see it. I'm not sure.

Q. Is it more difficult for a girl, in your opinion, to do it?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, yeah, because they never come to the net, so they'll never be lobbed. No, I've seen her hit some very good shots in the past already, you know. She has a great ability to come up with some different kind of variation for a woman's player, which is nice to see. I think she played incredible at the French Open. She is not scared of trying out a few things, you know. That's why I kind of like to watch her.

Q. When you were a junior, was the whole Maria [Sharapova] image thing something that you thought maybe one day you'd emulate?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Um, which way?

Q. Well, she's the big Nike girl. You're now Stella McCartney.

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, you know, to be honest, Kournikova was always for me the girl that I thought was just I wanted to be like her, definitely, you know. I thought she was very pretty; she was handling everything really nicely. You saw her everywhere in the commercials. I think I would more go for Kournikova.

Q. But what about on the court? Did you watch Maria's game? Did you see her win here in '06 or even Wimbledon when she was 17? What did you admire about her?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Yeah, of course. I think when you're a junior you see a lot of matches, in the women's game. And, yeah, I saw some of her matches, definitely. But, you know, she's a fighter; she never gives up. I think that's a great thing about her. But, you know, players that I really admired was, yeah, Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis; those were the girls that I really looked up to.

Q. You're regarded as one of the toughest mentally out there on court, if not "the" toughest. Do you believe that in yourself? Also, how has the surgery and injuries since then, how have they really affected your confidence and perhaps showing you a little bit of vulnerability that you didn't have before?


MARIA SHARAPOVA: Um, I mean, I do feel that, you know, especially in certain situations that I feel I don't know if the word "tougher" is the right word, but, you know, it's something that's, you know, won me many matches in my career.

Growing up I was never the biggest, the strongest girl on tour. You know, even though I have big shots, there are many girls that are more powerful that were quicker. But in certain situations -- you know, coming into juniors, I was playing girls that were much older than I am. You'd be in a position where it's 6 all in the third, and I'd have to battle it out. You know, I found a way to stay calm, and, you know, be tough inside of me. It wasn't really about, you know, seeing an error from the other side, and, you know, saying, come on or pumping the fist. It was more of a feeling you had inside of staying calm. That's kind of the toughness that I felt. Like I said, it's certainly won me many matches.

Q. Compared to other Opens, how are you feeling mentally and physically? You know, you're getting into the last final week. You have hopefully a few matches less until it's that final match. What's going through your mind right now?

GAËL MONFILS: I feel great physically. I mean, before the Open I was strong; I work hard like physically, so I feel great even if I have like long match. Basically I feel great. I hope the conditions will be better, and then I have like couple interesting like match to come one against Richard so I will try to play the best tennis I can. I know I can made it through the quarters, so I will try to take my chances on Monday.

Q. Do you think there's a lot of differences between your's and Richard's game?

GAËL MONFILS: Yeah, a lot. I think Richard is more talented than me in couple ways. Like he can adapt more about the conditions. Then I think I'm stronger than him physically, and maybe a bit mentally, also. Sometime he is like too defensive, like me. So actually it will be a good match, and we will see who's going to put like more pressure on the opponent.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: A dream finally realized in Paris

Francesca Schiavone, the 17th seed, played the match of her life when she defeated 7th seed Sam Stosur 6-4, 7-6 (2) to win the Roland Garros ladies' championship - her first major - and become the first Italian woman to win a Grand Slam evah. Brava!

The 29-year old's tremendous play was evident in her stats: 65% first serve, 63% won on second serves, 6 aces (compared to 3 for the big-serving Aussie), 26 winners/19 errors and 14 of 15 net approaches. But what you can't see on the stat sheet is the sheer determination, fearlessness and will to win that was beaming in the Italian's game not only in this match but the last few as well. Interestingly, Fran always came in as the underdog but strutted around the court as if she were the favorite and her foes were guests on her court. Fake it 'til you make it - and she did.

She also proved what I tweeted way back in Round 1 when 39-year old Kimiko Date Krumm upset Dinara Safina: Tennis is much more about a clear head and a big heart than anything else. She had those qualities and then some today.


Afterwards the newly crowned champ was asked to describe what this win meant to her:

This is mean that everybody have the chance to be who really you want to be, and to do everything in your life. This is what's happen to me.

And what about the t-shirts her supporters were wearing in her baller box that read 'Schiavone: Nothing is Impossible'?

The true is that I don't know, because they arrived this morning really, always with the car, and I saw them when I finish. So now I don't know. And they are leaving, so I don't think I will know this until two or three days.

As for Sam she was clearly and understandably distraught after losing a golden opportunity to grab her first major and enter tennis history as a Grand Slam singles champ. But she never looked comfortable out there even letting her frustrations come to the surface after being so stoic and "flatline" as Darren Cahill described her on court. And her 'A' game, which flowed so beautifully in the last few round as she glided around the court crushing forehand after forehand, went on walkabout. The Aussie was definitely feeling the moment and weight of being the fave - a role she never played when she upset Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic.

It's a different kind of pressure but one she'll need to embrace if she wants to break through. Luckily for Sam she's 26-years old and entering her prime playing years. She'll have more opportunities and, if she learns from this experience, will no doubt be raising her own championship trophy.

But for now let's celebrate Fran's awesome win!!!







[Photo(s): Getty Images, Reuters, AP]

It's Sam vs. Fran for the ladies' Roland Garros crown!

Okay, ready for my imitation of the Roland Garros ladies' semifinals?

*zzzzzzzzz*

Let's start with the first semi which saw Francesca Schiavone reach her first ever Grand Slam final when Elena Dementieva retired with the recurrence of the left calf injury she sustained during her second round match with the score at 7-6 (3) in favor of Fran.

The pair played their tried-and-true games: the Russian blasted groundies and worked to control the center of the court while the Italian played D until she had a ball she could pummel with heavy topspin. However, the injury was already taking its toll and once Fran took the set Elena called it quits - the first time in 43 major appearances.

Fran was asked about this surge so late in her career:

Q. Okay. Second one: Is why is that success coming so late for you?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: Why late? I think everybody are different. Could be late for you, could be good for you. I think it's my time now. Maybe before I wasn't ready.
Maybe before I had the chance I didn't catch, so I think now I have just to live and to keep going to work like I did for many years.

Q. What are your chances for the final? You think you can win the final on Saturday?

FRANCESCA SCHIAVONE: I don't know. I really don't know, but I'm really happy to be here. I will go on the court and I will fight at the best that I will do it, that I can do.
Now is time to relax, and Saturday will be the time to put everything that I work until now.

It was sad to see Elena in tears both because of the pain but also because you know she was very disappointed at losing another opportunity to grab that major. Her chances are dwindling and the draw really did work itself out for someone to finally break through. She will be skipping Eastbourne and is unsure about Wimbledon for now. Tough stuff.

The second semifinal saw the giant-killer Sam Stosur comprehensively destroy Jelena Jankovic 6-1, 6-2 from every part of the court: serve, return, groundies, defense, etc. It was a remarkable performance from the Aussie who will go in as the heavy fave to capture her first Grand Slam crown.

She made JJ look like an amateur out there with her big game yet calm, quiet demeanor - a silent killer if you will. The Serb never had the opportunity to use her backhand into Sammie's weaker backhand because of the 7th seed's ability to run around and hit her forehand and control points. JJ was left scrambling and hitting off balance - a perfect recipe for unforced errors (22 UEs against only 9 winners.)

Surprisingly Sammie never showed any signs of mental fatigue or an emotional letdown which you would expect after having defeated Serena Williams + Justine Henin, past champs here and lady ballers with a combined 19 major singles titles between them. She was very workwomanlike and played like she owned Philippe Chatrier Court. Well she did own it today and wiped it clean with JJ.

So what's the biggest difference in the Aussie's game is now versus a few years ago? She told the press:

Oh, I think it's a lot of things. It's not just one aspect. My fitness and strength is something I've been working on for probably a good five years very seriously. That hasn't been an overnight process. And, you know, really understanding my game and how to use it and my strengths and weaknesses and all that, I've got a lot better at understanding everything that I can do over the last few years a lot better.
And then self belief and starting to win big matches. So I think it's a combination of lots of things all coming together.

So it's Sam vs. Fran and their new fangled and apparently effective Babolat black RPM Blast String for the whole damn thing (incidentally, just got my racquet strung with these babies!) I mean, WHO WUDDA THUNK IT? And if you say "me" then you're a liar, except for Van Sias who somehow picked the Italian to make the final in his VANtage Point post.

I raise my glass of sangria to you, sir. Cheers!

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

Stosur stuns Serena, Melzer makes good against Djokovic at Roland Garros

And the upsets continued today at Roland Garros with Sam Stosur shocking top seed Serena Williams 6-2, 6-7 (2), 8-6 and saving a match point in the quarterfinals two days after knocking off 4-time champ Justine Henin. The Aussie served well, particularly with her kick serve out to ReRe's backhand on the ad side, and moved fluidly allowing her to drive those big forehands to all parts of the court. She hit 30 winners against 24 errors, 6 aces and won 58% of the points when she had to thrown down a second delivery.

She'll face Jelena Jankovic, who defeated Yaroslava Shvedova 7-5, 6-4, for a spot in Saturday's ladies' final.


The seventh seed was asked whether she felt it was her time to break through and win a major:

Q. Do you feel you can win the tournament here?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: Well, yeah. I mean, I think I've got as good a chance as anyone. I'm in the semis now; I played two great matches. Hopefully they're both gonna help me for tomorrow's match.

Q. You've obviously been able to fight it out not only against Justine, but now Serena. How's your belief right now?

SAMANTHA STOSUR: As good as it's ever been. Two great matches back to back for me, which is fantastic. Yeah, it's not over yet. Now I'm in the semis, and I want to definitely try and keep going. I made it to this point last year. If I can try and go another set further, then that would be great.

And what about ReRe's post-match comments? Well, in typical style she gave more credit to her supposed bad play than the Aussie's superior one. Go figure.

What a great moment for Sammie. I think the big question before the match was whether she would be able to come back after defeating Justine, who was the choice of many pundits and fans to take the whole thing, and not be emotionally spent or mentally shaky. I thought she might not be able take this match after being broken when serving for the match in the second set but she stayed calm and played within herself.

Clearly, if Sammie continues to play this brand of tennis she'll make it extremely tough for anyone to stop her.


An even bigger upset occurred when Jurgen Melzer and his wings, who never made it past the third round of any major, edged out 2-time semifinalist Novak Djokovic 3-6, 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(3), 6-4 in their quarterfinal match. The Austrian wasted two match points but made good on the third to win in 4 hours and 15 minutes. He'll face the ultimate test when he takes on Rafael Nadal, who beat compatriot Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (2), 7-6 (3), 6-4, for a spot in the men's final on Sunday.

Jurgen was typically drop shot happy but was steady balancing 59 winners against 59 errors and hitting 9 aces against 5 double faults. The same can't be said for the Serb who hit 53 winners/62 errors and 4 aces/10 double faults - a sloppy performance down the stretch for the third seed.

The pair shared a sweet MOMA moment at the net after the match:


It's exciting to see Jurgen make a real push here at the tender age of 29-years old. We've grown accustomed to seeing prodigies win the big ones in tennis but this time around the veterans like Jurgen and Francesca Schiavone are finally making waves. And it's about time.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]