Serena Says Jankovic Not Deserving; Querrey Reaches Auckland Final
Posted on January 16, 2009World No. 2 Serena Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-1 on Thursday by Russian Elena Dementieva at the Sydney International, but afterwards threw out some fighting words regarding the current No. 1 ranking. The younger of the two dominant Williams sisters dismissed Jelena Jankovic's No. 1 position, setting up a testy two weeks beginning next week at the Australian Open.
"Best player?" Williams said in reference to Jankovic, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title despite her top ranking. "Uh, no. I don't think anyone is better than me."
The No. 1 ranking will be up for grabs in Melbourne, with Jankovic, Williams and the Russians Dementieva and Dinara Safina within reach.
The women's favorites at the Aussie Open, according to Serena?
"Obviously myself and Venus," said the younger Williams sister. "You know, probably the Top 4-ranked players. For me, I believe in me. Like I said, I don't believe anyone's better than me. When I talk to Venus, she says the same thing. It's a really weird conversation. Whatever you do, you have to believe you're the best if you want to be the best."
On Friday Dementieva, still confident from her 2008 Olympic gold medal effort, went on to defeat Safina 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 for the Sydney title. Like Jankovic, she is also without a career Grand Slam title.
No American men reached the semifinals in Sydney, where today No. 4 seed David Nalbandian defeated unseeded Richard Gasquet, and top-seeded Novak Djokovic was ousted by unseeded Jarkko Nieminen. Florida's No. 2-seeded Bryan brothers are also in the Sydney doubles final, where they will face the top-seeded team of Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic. The Tennis Channel is showing coverage from Sydney on Friday at 8am-noon and 1-5pm.
Also on Friday in Auckland, American Sam Querrey beat No. 2 seed David Ferrer to gain the ATP final, where he will face top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro.
In the Australian Open qualifying going on this week, Floridians Amer Delic, Ryan Sweeting, Wayne Odesnik and Belgian/Florida resident Xavier Malisse are all one win away from qualifying into the main draw.
ESPN2 will begin live coverage from the Australian Open on Sunday night from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
"Best player?" Williams said in reference to Jankovic, who has yet to win a Grand Slam title despite her top ranking. "Uh, no. I don't think anyone is better than me."
The No. 1 ranking will be up for grabs in Melbourne, with Jankovic, Williams and the Russians Dementieva and Dinara Safina within reach.
The women's favorites at the Aussie Open, according to Serena?
"Obviously myself and Venus," said the younger Williams sister. "You know, probably the Top 4-ranked players. For me, I believe in me. Like I said, I don't believe anyone's better than me. When I talk to Venus, she says the same thing. It's a really weird conversation. Whatever you do, you have to believe you're the best if you want to be the best."
On Friday Dementieva, still confident from her 2008 Olympic gold medal effort, went on to defeat Safina 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 for the Sydney title. Like Jankovic, she is also without a career Grand Slam title.
No American men reached the semifinals in Sydney, where today No. 4 seed David Nalbandian defeated unseeded Richard Gasquet, and top-seeded Novak Djokovic was ousted by unseeded Jarkko Nieminen. Florida's No. 2-seeded Bryan brothers are also in the Sydney doubles final, where they will face the top-seeded team of Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic. The Tennis Channel is showing coverage from Sydney on Friday at 8am-noon and 1-5pm.
Also on Friday in Auckland, American Sam Querrey beat No. 2 seed David Ferrer to gain the ATP final, where he will face top-seeded Juan Martin del Potro.
In the Australian Open qualifying going on this week, Floridians Amer Delic, Ryan Sweeting, Wayne Odesnik and Belgian/Florida resident Xavier Malisse are all one win away from qualifying into the main draw.
ESPN2 will begin live coverage from the Australian Open on Sunday night from 7 p.m.-2 a.m.