Now that week one is over and with tomorrow being the traditional day of rest, it’s time to look back and ahead.
What’s “Old” is New Again
Some familiar names have shown up again the second week. Lleyton Hewitt is continuing his impressive run into the fourth round where he will now play Radek Stepanek. I actually like Hewitt there and think he will meet Roddick in the quarters. Juan Carlos Ferrero, a former number one who Roddick beat to win his first U.S. Open, is also in the fourth round. Ferrero’s run is a bit surprising since he had to be given a wild card just to play in the main draw. He got past Fernando Gonzalez in five sets and will now play Gilles Simon, the eighth seed.
These familiar faces, grew up so to speak at the same time as Federer and Roddick, but injuries and a changing game forced them into the lower depths of the rankings. Let’s hope this improved form will create a second wind for the remainder of their careers.
Get Pumped
What is going on with Ana Ivanovic and all her fist pumps? Although it’s good to see her returning to form after a very mediocre year, what’s odd is her habit of pumping her fist after winning every point. In her second round match against Sara Errani, she started doing it in the first game after winning some routine points and continued throughout. It’s understandable Ivanovic wants to build some confidence, but it comes off as desperate. Looks like the crown of biggest head case on the WTA tour has been passed from Kusnetsova to Ivanovic. Although speaking of Svetlana.
The Many Faces of Sveta
Svetlana Kusnetsova lost to big serving Sabine Lisicki 6-2, 7-5. Although she tried to pull it together, “Sveta” looked like the old “Sveta” i.e. not moving well, trying for weird shots, moody, etc. as oppossed to “new” Sveta that we saw winning the French. Although she admitted that she did not get enough grass court play in, it seems odd that “Sveta” with all her physical prowess can’t figure out grass.
Adjusting the Net 