Williams Wallops Waters at WTA StanfordPosted on July 15, 2004
"All in all, it was a good night,” said Williams after the 51-minute drubbing. “I felt really good today and didn't feel winded. Compared to the heat in Florida, I think that it's much easier in these conditions. The problem is that I'm such a perfectionist, and I think, 'Venus, you could have done that better.' But sometimes, I think I just need to give it up and admit that I played well." The top-seeded Williams won the Stanford title in 2000 and 2002. "Venus is such a great player and was hitting it really deep and was taking it to me,” Said Waters, a 10-year tour veteran and a monther to boot. “I think the whole situation overwhelmed me. It was a learning experience because I've never played someone at that caliber. Now, I know what to expect." Yeah, expect more beatings. In the quarterfinals, Venus will meet No.5 seed Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi, who was a 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, winner over Arantxa Parra Santonja. Lucky Loser Mashona "Mal's Sister" Washington continued her solid form topping Marissa Irvin 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, and now earns a date with Lindsay Davenport in the quarterfinals. Maria Vento-Kabchi made quick work of Germany's "Drop The" Anca Barna 6-2, 6-2, to set up her second consecutive quarterfinal in Stanford. Other winners in Stanford on Wednesday include Nicole Pratt over Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 6-3. France's Marion Bartoli impressively handled Elena Likhovtseva 6-1, 6-4, and Jelena Kostanic defeated slumping Ashley Harkleroad 7-5, 4-6, 6-1. On tap today, Kostanic vs. Schiavone, Bartoli vs. Frazier and Schnyder vs. Pratt. Not exactly high drama. ATP REVIEW/PREVIEWS “I knew I was going to have a tough match. He’s a good player and I knew it was going to be dangerous,” said Goofy Greg after the win. “I’m really pleased to get through the match. I’m glad I’ll have a day off tomorrow and come back on Friday ready for the quarterfinals.” Rusedski hit 16 aces during the 1-hour, 47-minute match, including one in the final set tie-break. Beck, who defeated Rusedski’s countryman Tim Henman in the second round of the Stella Artois Championships at Queen’s last month, led 4-2 in the final set after Rusedski hit consecutive double faults to lose his serve in the sixth game. But the 30-year-old Briton broke back immediately and eventually forced the tie-break, where Beck produced two double faults of his own. “I got a bit lucky today,” added Rusedski. “He got up a break in the third set and I knew I had to break straight back. I managed to save a few break points near the end and then I was pretty confident going into the tie-break.” Rusedski will now face Nicolas Kiefer, who was a 6-4, 7-5, winner over Glenn Weiner. Also advancing were No. 3 seed Mardy “The” Fish, a three-set winner over Belgian Gilles Elseneer and Cyril Saulnier also needed three sets to defeat Jan Hernych. On a better schedule today, Andre Agassi is back to tack on big-hitting Julien Benneteau. Sjeng Schalken takes on Wesley Moodie, Jeff “Battleship” Morrison faces Paradorn Srichaphan and Kenneth Carlsen meets Tommy Haas. In Stuttgart, Rainer "No Houston this Year" Schuettler continues to struggle as he was eliminated by our pal Radek Stepanek 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2. For Stepanek, it was his fourth victory in six meetings with the German. After a tight first set, which went to the German in a tie-break, Stepanek bounced back and secured victory by breaking Schuettler twice in the third set. Next up for Stepanek is "Dr." Ivo Karlovic, who put an end to 2000 MercedesCup winner Franco "The Squirrel" Squillari’s hopes for another Stuttgart title. The 6-foot-10 Croatian closed out the match by playing a flawless tie-break, winning the encounter 6-3, 7-6(0). Teenager Rafael "The Prodigy" Nadal advanced to the third round after a difficult opening match against Martin Vassalo Arguello from Italy, posting a 7-6(4), 6-4, win. No. 12 seed Albert Costa defeated countryman Felix Mantilla in their thirteenth career meeting, winning in straight sets 7-5, 6-4. Good stuff on the ticket today for clay lovers as Canas faces Koubek, Nadal takes on Chela and Gaudio battles with Armando. And in Amersfoort, rains hit the Dutch town late, but a couple matches still got in the books. Second seed Fernando Gonzalez set up a quarterfinal showdown with fast-rising Russian Igor Andreev after defeating Oscar Hernandez 7-5, 6-3 on Wednesday. “Gonzo” claimed his 30th match win of the season and is now hoping close on his second title of the year after winning Vina del Mar earlier in the season. Gonzalez reached the Bastad semifinals last week. Andreev celebrated his 21st birthday with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 win over Belgian Christophe "Cock" Rochus. Andreev was presented with a cake by tournament director Wendy Van Eijsden and ball boys sang 'happy birthday' to him. Then it was “Rain Time”. German Tomas Behrend led Spaniard Albert Portas 6-2, 3-3 when rain ended the day’s play, while top seed Nicolas Massu did not start his match against Dutchman "Everybody loves" Raemon Sluiter. Today, Dutchman Martin Verkerk faces Chilean Adrian Garcia as he attempts to reach his sixth quarterfinal of the year. Garcia is playing his first ATP-level tournament since Vina del Mar in February. Garcia has reached four Challenger finals this year, winning the Zagreb title in May. Top seed and defending champion Massu takes a commanding 3-1 career record against Sluiter into their second-round meeting. Dutchman Dennis Van Scheppingen takes on Colombian Alejandro Falla. FREE TENNIS-X E-NEWSLETTER NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS |
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Venus Williams shook off a stunning second round defeat at Wimbledon last month by blasting fellow American Lindsay Lee-Waters 6-1, 6-1, to advance to the quarterfinals in Stanford.