Whetting our appetite for the U.S. Open Series
Posted by Ravi Ubha, ESPN.com
Christmas is still five months away, but it's not too early for a U.S. Open Series wish list. There's much at stake during the hard-court extravaganza, which truly began at this week's Bank of the West Classic in California.
Here's hoping for the items below.
More A-Rod
Andy Roddick likes new coaches, getting immediate results under Jimmy Connors, for example. He has shown sustained improvement, though, teaming with Larry Stefanki in 2009, matching career bests at the Australian Open (semifinals) and Wimbledon (final), and making a maiden appearance in the French Open fourth round.
The passive Roddick has disappeared, and his transition game flourished at Wimbledon. He can also still defend when needed, with those dropped pounds helping him immensely.
Roddick fans hope he won't wilt under the pressure as the U.S. Open Series culminates with the U.S. Open. No one expected the 26-year-old to reach the final in 2006 and the quarterfinals last year, while nomad Gilles Muller sent him packing in the first round in 2005 when hopes were elevated.
Roddick returns from a hip injury next week at the Legg Mason Classic in Washington, D.C.
The Djoker's revival
Thank goodness for YouTube.
Never has it been so easy to peruse past matches, and with much interest last week I caught parts of Novak Djokovic's win over Roger Federer at the 2008 Australian Open -- the former's Grand Slam breakthrough.
Djokovic played with intent instead of lingering well behind the baseline. There was little fear or trepidation. You could see it in his face.
The Djokovic of early last year wouldn't have dwelled on a tough loss to Rafael Nadal (in Madrid in May) or succumbed to nerves against resurgent German Tommy Haas (at Wimbledon this month).
As it stands now, the Serb, who must have pocketed a hefty fee competing in doubles in Croatia this week with his brother, isn't among the top five threats at the U.S. Open.
Safina upping the ante
Dinara Safina winning in Portoroz last week should silence critics who suggest the Russian isn't a worthy No. 1.
Yes, that's a joke.
Safina predictably toppled those in her way at the small tourney in Slovenia, though now it's time for the 23-year-old to produce at crunch time. She has been blitzed in three Grand Slam finals and suffered more embarrassment in the Wimbledon semifinals, getting demolished by Venus Williams.
Most neutrals probably want the Russian to break through. Safina has spoken with poise since ascending to the top spot, possesses a wonderful sense of humor -- it runs in the family -- and makes for compelling on-court viewing.
A decent showing from big brother Marat Safin would be nice, too. He makes his Grand Slam farewell in New York after defeats to heavy underdogs Josselin Ouanna and Jesse Levine at the French Open and Wimbledon, respectively. Boy, those matches were painful to watch.
The return of Les Bleus
The French men were the toast of Melbourne.
Dubbed the "New Musketeers" -- a reference to the initial batch of four French stalwarts in the 1920s and '30s -- Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils and Richard Gasquet garnered plenty of praise at January's Australian Open.
How times have changed.
Simon can't buy a win, Monfils can't avoid injuries, Tsonga and his big game didn't advance beyond the fourth round at Wimbledon and the French Open, and Gasquet recently tested positive for cocaine. He was controversially spared a two-year suspension.
A Roger-Rafa classic
Federer is riding high. The French Open jinx is over and he has surpassed pal Pete Sampras as the man with the most majors. Off the court, he last week became a dad for the first time, to twin girls.
Nadal's season has gone downhill thanks to his persistently troubled knees. The marriage of his parents, according to reports, is on the rocks -- a further blow because family is so important to the chiseled lefty.
But who knows? Maybe Nadal's enforced absence from the tour will make him fresher in the summer.
Isn't it about time we had a Roger-versus-Rafa final in New York?
A thrilling women's final
Sure, you can have entertaining straight-set finals. Going the distance, however, is a different dynamic.
And on that note, the last time a women's U.S. Open final went three was back in 1995, when one of the all-time greats, Steffi Graf, outlasted newly minted Hall of Famer Monica Seles.
