TENNIS - US Open: The most telling quote after Serena Williams's 6-4, 0-6, 6-2 defeat by France's world number one, Amelie Mauresmo, in the fourth round of the US Open came from Oracene Price, her mother.
"I wouldn't want her to win everything like she did in Australia (in 2005) when she just muscled her way through. Let her know that it takes a lot of work and dedication."
Before this slam Williams had played in only three tournaments this year, and 12 matches, though such is the aura of the Williams sisters some were prepared to talk about her in terms of the title. It was never remotely likely.
To be sure, Williams had lost a little weight, and her third-round win over Ana Ivanovic had been reasonably impressive, though it owed more to the young Serb's nerves than anything else perhaps. Mauresmo, of course, has been renowned for her own nerves, until this year, when she has won her first slam in Melbourne and followed up with her Wimbledon success.
Williams is said by her mother to be eager to re-establish herself, having dropped out of the top 100 this year before edging her way back to 91. "Serena can be back in the top 10, that's certain," said Mauresmo. "But to be in the top 10 it's a matter of consistency. Does she have it? It's hard to tell."
Mauresmo had the shadow of nine defeats out of 10 against Williams, and had never beaten her in a slam. When it most mattered, the 27-year-old Mauresmo increased her energy levels, while Williams was fighting for breath. "I really wanted to start changing the stats," said Mauresmo, "It was very important to me I beat Serena."
The rain that washed out a complete day of the opening week of this year's US Open interrupted play again yesterday as Andy Murray, the youngest player left in the men's draw, attempted to reach his first grand slam quarter-final at only his sixth attempt. When play was initially suspended Russia's Nikolay Davydenko, the world number six, led 6-1, 5-7, 6-3 after just over two hours' play.
Murray, who had held a 2-0 lead in the third set, was looking more than a little weary.
The only match to finish before the rain was in the Arthur Ashe stadium where Serbia's Jelena Jankovic reached her first grand slam semi-final with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Russia's Elena Dementieva.
Murray can often be a slow starter, and Davydenko was on him like a Jack Russell on a rat. Morning does not become Murray, and the 11am start in the Louis Armstrong stadium saw the lean Russian impose his ground strokes to telling effect. Added to this, Murray was struggling to get his first serve working. The arena was less than half full with the usual chaotic movement. Appeals to close the access gates were largely ignored, and both players were forced to wait while the American public searched for their seats. Three breaks of the Murray serve and the opening set was over in less than half an hour.
At this juncture he appeared a rather better version of Murray, with more zip to his ground strokes, and greater consistency to his serve. But that was soon to change. The Scot chuntered and fretted as Davydenko held his serve at the start of the second set, but gradually Murray's persistent attack on the Russian's double-fisted backhand began to reap rewards.
What had appeared a walk in the park for Davydenko suddenly become a stony climb. As the planes roared overhead, taking off from La Guardia airport, so Murray's spirits took wing. It remained a taut battle, but after an hour he had edged ahead in the second set, and the Russian's backhand was fragmenting.
An over-ambitious attempt at a drop volley put pressure on Murray, from which he recovered, although as he served for the set Davydenko found inspiration with a couple of acutely angled backhands. Murray's strength of character was displayed when he broke back, and then levelled the match.
Inspiration was with Murray as he gathered a 2-0 lead in the third set, yet so finely was this match balanced a couple of missed opportunities to expand the lead to 3-0 saw Davydenko launch a run of five games and eventually take the set 6-3. Murray raged at missing the break points in the third game. The Russian sensed the balance had shifted, and he recaptured the control he had displayed in the opening set.
Before Murray's tirade it had been Davydenko who appeared to be withering. However, the 25-year-old plays more tournaments than most, and is well used to the fluctuations of fortune from one tournament to another, and this experience swung the match back in his favour.
Initially the players sat in their chairs as the umpire tested the lines to see if the drizzle was making them slippery. Then the rain began in earnest.
Guardian Service
