Serena Williams, Azarenka, Yawn: US Open Women’s Preview

by Jeremy Davis | August 25th, 2013, 12:49 am
  • 10 Comments

There is Serena, and there is Vika. Both of them will, barring injury or some shove-this-ball-down-your-throat meltdown, get to the final. Yawn.
ADHEREL
This year’s US Open women’s draw must have the fewest interesting first-round match-ups, and without Maria “Sugarpova” Sharapova or Martina Hingis or Marion Bartoli or Roger Federer putting on a dress, this year is a yawner.

Here’s why:

First Quarter


The most interesting of the four quarters features opening matches (1) Serena Williams vs. former French winner and on-the-verge-of-retirement Francesca Schiavone, and (12) Kirsten Flipkens vs. the medically hampered Venus Williams. That’s it.

(15) Sloane Stephens is also in this quarter, and could meet Serena in the fourth round. No. 8 Angie Kerber is the next-highest seed.

Second Quarter

The lone match in this quarter that could put butts in seats is (9) Jelena Jankovic vs. Madison Keys. That’s it. Aggie Radwanska and Li Na are in this quarter too, so, look forward to that.

Third Quarter

Potential upsets in the third quarter are (22) Elena Vesnina vs. German riser Annika Beck, (14) Maria Kirilenko vs. shoulda-been Yanina Wickmayer, and the tired (21) Simona Halep vs. Brit Heather Watson.

Already-peaked (6) Caroline Wozniacki and (4) Sara Errani, who won’t be causing anyone any pain, are the highest seeds in this quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Nothing. Find a first-round match in this quarter that a New Yorker would pay for, or not yell at you for suggesting you watch.

(2) Victoria Azarenka and (7) Petra Kvitova, who melted down yesterday in the New Haven final, are the top seeds in the quarter.

Serena vs. Vika in the final, check back in two weeks.

Former champs in the field are Serena Williams (2012’08,’02,’99), Sam Stosur (2011), Svetlana Kuznetsova (2004), and Venus Williams (2001-00).

 


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10 Comments for Serena Williams, Azarenka, Yawn: US Open Women’s Preview

Truthsquad Says:

Why even mention Women’s tennis at all on this site? The tone is usually so dismissive and condescending that there is just no point….. Maybe if you’re lucky, a crazed fan will rush the court and stab someone…. Would that please “New Yorkers” and fill a few seats? …. Pathetic

August 25th, 2013 at 10:35 am


Gordon Says:

This post borders on being sexist and whoever runs this site should really take a long hard look at how they perceive this sport.

For 7 years were the 63 male players in Nadal’s half of the Roland Garros draw routinely dismissed on this site? Never. There was always discussion of who might provide interesting matchups even though the chances of Rafa not making the final were almost non-exist ant.

I am wondering if instead of women’s tennis being his target perhaps Jeremy Davis just doesn’t like women.

August 25th, 2013 at 11:45 am


Perfect fan Says:

Even though Serena being the hands down dominant player in the wta circuit currently, wining title after title…..still she is not able to dominate in the slams on consistent basis.

I don’t remember anyone in wta circuit dominating at slams consistently since “graff”.

August 25th, 2013 at 12:04 pm


Sekkyo Says:

This is a horrible article and is incredibly sexist and dismissive of the fun of women’s tennis. If you don’t like women’s tennis, Jeremy, stop writing about it.

August 25th, 2013 at 2:32 pm


Kelly Perrin Says:

This article nails it. Graff was dominant. GOAT. Vika still has a chance to change things. Sugarpova is not sweating it with all the money she makes on the side, and always a delight to look at. Thanks for the insights, Jeremy.

August 25th, 2013 at 6:46 pm


Polo Says:

Sexist? Maybe
Dismissive? Maybe
Factual? Definitely!

August 25th, 2013 at 7:47 pm


Okiegal Says:

The writer of this article showed no respect for women’s tennis. Shame on him. Disgusting!!!

August 26th, 2013 at 3:11 am


Darryl Thompson Says:

Gordon and Truthsquad – you both hit the nail on the head. Where women’s tennis is concerned this site only rewards what it views as tennis “beauty queens” – dating back to Anna Kornakova, and now Sugarpova. Example – Maria fires coach 2 weeks before USO and suddenly injures shoulder the next week – but is not #1 IN THE TRUNK – why? because she’s beautiful (in the eyes of these beholders) of course. Serena makes it to another final (#9 or 10?) but IS #1 IN THE TRUNK because she failed to win it. What garbage.

August 26th, 2013 at 9:28 am


hawkeye Says:

Women’s tennis lacks depth almost as much as men’s tennis did from 2004-2006.

Instead of making fun and being negative, maybe the writer would do better by putting Serena up on a pedestal and calling her GOAT.

#Cyclic
#Humb1e

August 26th, 2013 at 9:40 am


Margot Says:

Come on Laura! Well done.
And Evo takes the first 2 sets against Kei. Fingers crossed :)

August 26th, 2013 at 12:36 pm

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