GÄEL MONFILS
Querrey Falls to Nadal, Safina Advances, Mauresmo Is Out
Sam Querrey just proved to the world that he's a real player. He made Rafael Nadal fight for 3 hours and 13 minutes in an incredibly satisfying four-set match. Nadal took the last set 6-3, thanks in large part to Querrey's seven blown break points in the seventh game.
In other action, the 2006 Wimbledon Champion Amelie Mauresmo lost very quietly to Flavia Pennetta 6-3, 6-0. Dinara Safina won in straight sets again, this time over Anna-Lena Groenefeld, and she is looking by far to be the best non-Williams in this Open.
Mardy Fish, Desperado, Cruises to the Quarters
You've gotta love the Americans' love for the U.S. Open. Mardy Fish, with his best Grand Slam ever, just beat Gael Monfils 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 in a flawless match. Asked on the court after his match how much he wanted to win here, he said, "I desperately wanted to do well here. Desperately."
Winner of Rafa-Querrey up next for Fish in the quarters.
A Festive Holiday Lineup
Honestly, this might be the best day at the Open in years. Each marquee match offers a lot:
Mardy Fish v. Gael Monfils:
Fish is finally coming into form with an impressive victory over James Blake, and now he plays the wonderfully entertaining Gael Monfils who had that fantastic run to the French Open semis this year. Our pick: MONFILS
Rafael Nadal v. Sam Querrey:
We've fallen in love with Querrey, and with some crowd support he should be able to give Nadal a run. But we're still rooting for Nadal because the propsect of that Nadal-Federer final is just far too attractive an idea. read more »
Day Six Wrap: Venus, Serena and the Top Seeds Dominate
Week 1 of U.S. Open tennis draws to a conclusion at the end of the day, and with few upsets, we're looking at an incredibly promising second week. Top seeds today all moved to the next round fairly easily.
Rafael Nadal won in straight sets, making very quick work of up-and-comer Viktor Troicki, 6-4, 6-3, 6-0.
Serena and Venus Williams appear headed toward a titanic quarterfinal match with the two sisters defeating Ai Sugiyama and Alona Bondarenko, respectively, by a score of 6-2, 6-1. Both are playing great, according to everyone except them.
("I think I'm definitely at my best now," said Venus after her match. read more »
