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tennisreporters.net
U.S.
OPEN PICKS
Venus,
Guga and 18 hungry contenders
By
Matthew Cronin
tennisreporters.net
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Susan
Mullane
Camerawork USA, Inc.
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T
H E • W O M E N
THE
FAVORITE
VENUS
WILLIAMS: If defending champion maintains her focus
throughout the two weeks (which is no sure thing), she's almost
a lock to win her second title. As Seles says, Venus has no perceptible
weaknesses when she's in the zone. Her forehand is repaired, her
swing volley is frightening and, when her toss isn't visiting
the Triborough Bridge, she's serving with more effectiveness than
any woman in history.
INSIDE
SHOTS
JENNIFER
CAPRIATI:
Aussie and Roland Garros champ appeared a bit distracted
in weeks following Wimbledon, but if she fixes her serve and rediscovers
her
hard on-court stare, she'll be Venus' most difficult foe.
LINDSAY DAVENPORT: If Venus
didn't own her now, the well-rested slugger might
be a co-favorite. But, she doesn't seem to have a clear idea as
to how she's going
to oust her fellow SoCal native. If Venus loses, watch out.
MONICA SELES: No longer an
also-ran, this former U.S. champ is moving beautifully and gunning
groundies. Only thing that's holding her back is her
spotty serve but there's a fair chance she'll have that fixed
by tee-off.
First Slam title since '96 isn't impossible, but probably needs
three big
wins, which will test her conditioning and closing ability at
a major.
KIM CLIJSTERS: Belgian terror
is an enigma. One minute, she's torching
Davenport to win Palo Alto, then she's wild in losing to Sugiyama
in S.D.
Clijsters has matured, but does she believe in herself enough
yet?
SERENA WILLIAMS: After struggling
to close out matches for five months,
finally rediscovers her temperament in Toronto and slams the door
on Seles
and Capriati. Has the weapons to shine here, but better not get
involved in
too many long three-setters.
OUTSIDE
SHOTS
MARTINA
HINGIS:
Injured, burnt out, confused as to what style she should use,
she won't hold the top ranking for much longer. Look for her to
make a huge
effort to regain her queen bee status, but to be out punched in
the second
week.
JUSTINE HENIN: Two weeks of
hardcourt warm-up tournaments aren't enough. A
delight to watch, but lack of prep indicates she's not taking
event seriously
enough.
THE
DARK HORSES
MEGHANN
SHAUGHNESSY: Stunning
upset of Venus in Palo Alto shows she has
weapons to down any player on good day, but has propensity to
tire mentally.
AMELIE MAURESMO: High time
for talented Frenchwoman to make an impact at a
Slam again. No one's expecting it, so when the powerballer muscles
her way
deep, folks will recall her top-five talent.
T
H E • M E N
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Susan
Mullane
Camerawork USA, Inc.
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THE
FAVORITE
GUSTAVO
KUERTEN:
In search of his first non-clay court Slam crown, Guga has turned
it up on cement, whipping his first serve; bending low to crush
groundstrokes and taking advantage of his reach at net. Has got
game, but does he have the mentality to survive N.Y. chaos?
INSIDE
SHOTS
ANDRE AGASSI: Great wins over
Guga and Sampras in L.A., then horror shows in
Montreal and Cincy. Doesn't turn it on and off as easily as some
might think, so if he doesn't regain his stroke in Washington,
he'll be ripe for an upset. If he does, his third Open title is
more than possible.
PATRICK
RAFTER: Fell in three finals this summer, which can't
do wonders for
his confidence. Still, he's putting himself in a position to win
and got a
lot of match play, factors that keyed his two previous Open titles.
LLEYTON HEWITT: '00 Open semifinalist
finally discovered his hard court game
in Cincy and reached semis. But can't overpower opponents and
puts in too
much court time during first week. But with favorable draw, will
be dangerous.
OUTSIDE
SHOTS
PETE
SAMPRAS:
Hasn't played to his standards since '00 Wimby and had lousy
summer: smoked by Agassi in LA. and then coasted in first rounds
of Montreal
and Cincy. He's a legend, so consider him a contender, but any
other player
with his recent results would be a dark horse.
MARAT SAFIN: Struggling mightily.
Will take a near miracle for him to defend
title. Body and confidence out of whack but a couple of good wins
and he'll
be formidable.
ANDY RODDICK: America's hope
is probably a year away from having a major
impact. Capable of a couple huge wins, but still a bit too young
and
inconsistent for two week grind. But whichever seed plays him
first better
beware.
DARK
HORSES
JUAN
CARLOS FERRERO:
If super-talented Spaniard serves well enough to keep
foes off his back, should be able to adjust to slow hard courts
and wear many
down with precise groundies.
TIM HENMAN: New coach in Larry
Stefanki and more aggressive posture, seems
well-suited to go deep. No pressure here, so Brit can let it all
hang out.
GREG RUSEDSKI: '97 finalist
should be performing better, but he's still wary
of reinjuring himself and has gotten away from rushing net at
all costs -- a
tactic he must employ to be successful. Give him a whiff of confidence
and no
one will want to face his wicked serve.
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