Henin, Davydenko Win Titles; Davenport Adds New Injury
Posted on August 27, 2006
Henin Beats Injured Davenport for New Haven TitleNEW HAVEN, CT, USA -- Justine Henin-Hardenne separated herself from the pack just days before the year's final Grand Slam, albeit in abbreviated fashion; the Belgian announced her return to the No.2 ranking by winning the Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob Ultra over Lindsay Davenport, when the American retired Saturday afternoon due to a right shoulder injury trailing 60 10.
Davenport, who spoke of soreness in the shoulder after her Friday win over Samantha Stosur, attempted to keep up with Henin-Hardenne from the beginning. But after dropping the opening set at love she requested a medical timeout, then returned to court with a bandaged shoulder. After losing the first game of the second set, she decided it was time to stop.
"Pretty much at 0-3, when I had already served two games, I thought I needed to saw my arm off," said Davenport. "I had a bunch of tightness up higher. It was bothering me yesterday. Because of that, you start compensating with the other muscles going down. It was going into my elbow, into my forearm. That's the kind of stuff where you start getting in trouble."
Despite not being at full strength during the defeat, her sixth consecutive loss to Henin-Hardenne, Davenport had kind words for her opponent after the match.
"She has made some of the biggest improvements; it was three years ago maybe where she went from not having the greatest forehand to making her forehand one of the best, a huge weapon. She is very tough. If you watched some of her matches the year she won the US Open, against Jennifer, against Kim, she was as tough as they come. She is dedicated to getting even better and is constantly changing things in her game to stay on top. She's remarkable, I believe."
"Today is not the way you want to win the tournament," Henin-Hardenne said. "I feel very sorry for Lindsay. I hope she will feel better soon. I could feel from the beginning of the match she wasn't hitting the ball as usual. But I did my job. It's not easy in this kind of situation, but I stayed very focused on every point and didn't give her a lot of opportunities. So that was the way I had to play."
Having sat out the entire summer hardcourt season leading up to New Haven with a right knee injury, Henin-Hardenne made a triumphant return to action, not dropping a set in winning her 28th career Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title, her Tour-leading fifth of the season. The victory over Davenport also kept her ahead of everyone else in another way, it being her 48th singles match win of the season. On the next rankings, she is projected to rise from No.3 to No.2, the first time since the 2004 US Open fortnight she'll feature in the Top 2.
"I was a bit surprised after a few weeks off to come back so quickly at this level but I had a very good time," Henin-Hardenne added. "I felt relaxed on the court the whole week. It's a great season so far for me. I hope I can keep going this way. Until now it's the best season of my career. I've been very consistent. I've been healthy, the best since 2003 I would say. That's the main thing."
Leading up to the final, Davenport also had a very encouraging week, picking off two tricky opponents in her first two matches (Katarina Srebotnik and Francesca Schiavone), then notching her 15th career victory over a reigning world No.1 by beating Amelie Mauresmo in the quarterfinals. In Friday's semifinals she gained revenge for an opening round loss at Los Angeles a few weeks back by taking out Australian rising star Samantha Stosur, in two tie-breaks.
"I came here and played really well," Davenport stated, "but having all these matches with no days off is not easy, especially when I haven't played in six months. But I'm happy I was able to still perform well here. I feel absolutely horrible for the tournament and all the fans because they come here to see the best tennis. When you can't provide your service, you just feel guilty."
The tournament was rocked with early round departures of three seeds, namely Nadia Petrova (No.4), Patty Schnyder (No.6) and Anastasia Myskina (No.8); Mauresmo (No.1) and Elena Dementieva (No.3) managed to make the quarters, but it was Henin-Hardenne, Davenport and Svetlana Kuznetsova (No.5) who reached the final four, along with Stosur, a lucky loser into the main draw.
But Henin-Hardenne and Davenport stole the show at the Pilot Pen Tennis this past week, and both former US Open champions head to Flushing Meadows knowing they are hitting solidly.
"In a Grand Slam, things can happen. It's long and you need to be at your best for seven matches. My first match is my main goal right now. I don't want to look too far. I just want to stay concentrated on what I have to do on the court. I had a very positive attitude this week. I just want to keep going this way."
"With the US Open less than 48 hours from beginning, this is not where I want to be. But I do think this is something that, given rest, will get better. It's just trying to manage it for my first match. Hopefully I can get through that being able to kind of do what I need to do to play well there and win and still have rest."
-- WTA
Davydenko Wins 3rd 2006 Title at New Haven
Second seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia garnered his third title of the year, beating No. 10 seed Agustin Calleri of Argentina 6-4, 6-3 in the final Saturday night.
Davydenko, 25, played his normal steady game from the baseline, and Calleri, 29, broke down. The match lasted one hour and 21 minutes. Davydenko broke Calleri three times and saved all six break points he faced. The victor won 67 points, compared to 55 points for the vanquished.
Davydenko kept his career record against Calleri perfect at 4-0, with three of the wins coming this year. The previous two matches were at Bastad in July and Sydney in January.
Davydenko lifted his 2006 record to 49-22, while Calleri slid to 29-16. Davydenko has won 14 of his last 18 matches, and Calleri has won 17 of his last 21. The Russian has an INDESIT ATP Ranking of No. 7, while Calleri is No. 32.
This was Davydenko's fifth final of the year. He also won titles at Poertschach in May (d. Pavel) and Sopot earlier this month (d. Mayer). He was runner-up at Estoril in May (l. to Nalbandian) and at Bastad last month (l. to Robredo).
The Russian's three titles this year tie him with Tommy Haas and James Blake for third on the ATP circuit, after Roger Federer with seven and Rafael Nadal with five.
Davydenko took the crown in New Haven without losing a set. This was his first title in North America. Davydenko has played in 11 finals in his career and won eight of them. This is the fourth year in a row in which he has captured at least one title.
Calleri was playing in his second final of the year. He won the title at Kitzbuhel in July (d. Chela). Calleri has played in eight finals during his eight-year ATP career and won two of them. In addition to Kitzbuhel this year, Calleri took the crown at Acapulco in 2003 (d. Zabaleta).
-- ATP
Women Reach Slam Climax at US Open
FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY, USA -- The Grand Slam season reaches its climax this coming fortnight as the stars of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour compete at the 2006 US Open. Two Grand Slam standouts are the favorites but they will face an onslaught of serious challengers from all directions.
Based on their respective performances at the majors so far this season, Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin-Hardenne head to Flushing Meadows with the highest of expectations. Mauresmo is the reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion; Henin-Hardenne won Roland Garros and was runner-up at both of Mauresmo's major title runs. Fittingly, the Frenchwoman and the Belgian are the top two seeds, respectively, this coming fortnight.
Immediately behind Mauresmo and Henin-Hardenne in the rankings (and seedings) is a quartet of Russians, looking to put its country back in the Grand Slam winner's circle. Leading the pack is Maria Sharapova (the No.3 seed), a Wimbledon winner two years ago and one of this summer's best, capturing the Tier I title in San Diego. Others in the pack are Los Angeles titlist and former US Open finalist Elena Dementieva (No.4), four-time 2006 titlist Nadia Petrova (No.5), and former US Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova (No.6).
Rounding out the Top 8 seeds are Switzerland's Patty Schnyder and Martina Hingis. Both women had strong summer showings, the No.7-seeded Schnyder making the Stanford final and San Diego semifinals and the No.8-seeded Hingis reaching the Montreal final and San Diego quarters. In particular, Hingis has been one of the biggest stories this year, just recently returning to the Top 10, having been a former No.1 and five-time major champion, including here in 1997.
A handful of threats lurk among the second tier of seeds. Nicole Vaidisova (No.9) just became the 12th-youngest player to crack the Top 10; Lindsay Davenport (No.10) has won three majors, including here in 1998; Mary Pierce (No.13) has won two majors, and was a runner-up here last year; and Serbian sensation Ana Ivanovic (No.16) just won her biggest ever title in Montreal, clinching first in the US Open Series. Also in this group are Anastasia Myskina (No.11), Dinara Safina (No.12), Francesca Schiavone (No.14) and Anna-Lena Groenefeld (No.15).
There are several players to watch among the lower tier of seeds and in the rest of the draw, most notably a pair of multiple former US Open champions. Venus Williams, seeded No.30 and a winner here in 2000 and 2001, and Serena Williams, unseeded and the champion here in 1999 and 2002, have both had injury struggles this season, but are always dangerous on the big stage.
Should the seeds hold on the top half, Mauresmo will face Hingis in the quarters for a chance to meet Sharapova or Petrova in the semis; Pierce, Ivanovic and Serena Williams also lie in this half. On the bottom half, Henin-Hardenne would meet Schnyder to play either Dementieva or Kuznetsova in the semis; Vaidisova, Davenport and Venus Williams lurk in this section.
There is one particularly noteworthy absence in the draw. Kim Clijsters was unable to return to Flushing Meadows this year to defend her title, having suffered a left wrist injury a few weeks ago that necessitated a two-month injury lay-off.
Despite the defending champion's absence, the field is packed with some of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour's greatest ever names, and without one clear favorite, the 2006 US Open will surely be one of the most competitive in a while.
-- WTA
Raymond-Stosur Click On, Off Court
NEW HAVEN, CT, USA -- Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur are the top seeds this week at the Pilot Pen Tennis presented by Michelob Ultra. The world's top doubles team has captured 11 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour doubles titles together and is aiming to defend its US Open title next week. The 33-year-old American and the 22-year-old Australian click on the court, but how well do they know each other off the court?
sonyericssonwtatour.com gave them some "fun" questions and Lisa and Sam guessed the answers for each other.
Here are Lisa's answers (for herself and Sam)
Biggest pet peeve:
My biggest pet peeve is being late!!! But Sam is so laid back and easy-going not too many things bother her. I would be totally guessing on this one.
When she does this I know she's nervous:
I bite my nails. Sam moves around a lot, can't sit still, goes off on her own.
If we had to live on an island and could take three things, they would be:
I would take my phone, my computer, and gossip magazines!! Sam would take phone, sunnies, and flip flops.
Favorite pre-match activity:
For me it's texting. I know, I am not proud of it! Sam does her footwork drills and hits volleys against a wall.
Favorite thing to watch on TV:
I love all Hollywood gossip shows (ET, Extra, etc.) and "Family Guy". Sam likes "Law and Order" and "Family Guy".
Least favorite opponent:
For me it's Schnyder. For Sam, I don't think she has one yet...maybe me?
Most embarrassing tennis moment:
I honestly don't have one. For Sam, it's losing to Amelie (Mauresmo) 60 60 in Miami this year. Sorry to bring that back up Sammy...
First person she calls after a match:
My best friend or Mom. For Sam, it's friends. She usually sends a text message to someone.
Favorite tournament:
For me, US Open. For Sam, Aussie Open.
I occasionally annoy her by doing this:
I annoy Sam by always reminding her to "make sure you get the schedule before you leave." I am a control freak so I always end up getting it first, booking courts, etc. even if I ask her to do it as well.
The one thing we don't agree on is this:
Our favorite cities. Mine is NYC, hers is either Melbourne or Gold Coast.
If she wasn't playing tennis, she would be a:
Sam would be some sort of athlete, maybe a surfer. Me, I would be in the FBI or opening my own Cupcake Shop, and I still may :)
Here are Sam's answers (for herself and Lisa)
Biggest pet peeve:
For me, it's when people get in a lift (elevator) before the people in it can get out. I also hate lateness. For Lisa, it's people being late.
When she does this I know she's nervous:
I stop talking. For Lisa, it's when she tells me "its ok", especially when I'm missing balls.
If we had to live on an island and could take three things, they would be:
Phone, food, lip balm. For Lisa, phone, phone charger, food.
Favorite pre-match activity:
For me, a good warm-up and volleys on a wall. Lisa doesn't have one that I've noticed, except talking on the phone.
Favorite thing to watch on TV:
I like "Family Guy", "Seinfeld" and "Law and Order". For Lisa, it's now "Family Guy because I made her watch it.
Least favorite opponent:
Amelie Mauresmo. For Lisa, it's Patty Schnyder.
Most embarrassing tennis moment:
Can't think of one, maybe I erased them all from my memory! I have no idea for Lisa.
First person she calls after a match:
I don't call anyone in particular, it depends on the day. Lisa calls her best friend.
Favorite tournament:
Aussie Open. For Lisa, it's Wimbledon and San Diego.
I occasionally annoy her by doing this:
Not talking, not expressing my feelings or not making a decision.
The one thing we don't agree on is this:
Hard to say, maybe tipping.
If she wasn't playing tennis, she would would be a: Surfer or in a band. Lisa would be a criminal detective or a forensic psychologist. Maybe work for the FBI.
-- WTA
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TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
Andre Agassi at the Saturday US Open ATP Player Meeting: "I want to thank you for all the years, all the beatings and for making me look better than I was. I am not much of an advice-giver, but I feel like I have walked in your shoes and can tell you: Be kind to each other, and be kind to our sport."...Dmitry Tursunov blogging for the ATP: "After much debating I decided to start writing again because the week of Estoril has been the best week on tour for me. People were just too afraid to get on my bad side! They would say hello in the morning and let me take the best croissant at the breakfast bar. They would sign up with me to practice, and one 15-year-old kid even let me win against him on clay! So I thought about the pros and the cons and decided that to improve my ranking I owe it to myself to start writing again."...Winsor Dobbin writing for The Sydney Morning Herald: "Technology has changed tennis forever. Where once you had grace you now have power, where once there was artistry there is now athleticism. Bigger, stronger players, new high-tech materials, and longer racquets with larger heads have rewritten the textbook on how the game is played. With the US Open beginning tomorrow, the sport has an image problem. It is largely dominated by racquet-generated power, booming serves and shorter points. Serve-and-volley duels are a thing of the past as the vast majority of players try to slug their way to victory from behind the baseline using crunching groundstrokes and extreme topspin."...Mike Bryan speaking with SI.com on twin pranks: "We've pulled a lot on the phone. I mean, my parents can't even tell us apart on the phone. Sometimes my girlfriend will call me, and Bob will pick up and talk to her and she'll have no clue it was Bob until maybe a week later. Bob: Yeah, she'll say, "I love you" and I'll say, "I love you" and she'll just keep it going and have no clue."...From the LA Times: "The deal means ESPN2, which has been televising weekday French Open matches since 2002, probably will no longer be involved in coverage of the event. ESPN2 could remain in the picture if a deal was reached with the Tennis Channel, which plans to sell a portion of its rights to a more widely distributed network. A partnership with USA, OLN or another cable entity is more likely. According to a source, ESPN passed on renewing its deal with the French Open because of financial considerations."
Also see:
Quietly Confident Nadal Looks to Outwit, Out-box Federer at US Open
http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2006-08-26/c.php
Rejuvenated Roddick, Connors by His Side, Says Confidence is Back
http://www.tennis-x.com/story/2006-08-27/c.php