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THE TR NEWSLETTER: TUESDAY, AUGUST 28, NO. 241

Put on some makeup and you're the bomb

Sharapova soars, while Querrey crashes; Gimelstob bows out

By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

FROM THE US OPEN – Early-round clashes sometimes bring perfect play from the higher-ranked players, more than they would care to admit. Sometimes, it's just about getting the kinks out, but other times, it's about showing your entire arsenal in a statement match.

That's what the Lady in the Red Dress, Maria Sharapova, did in her 6-0, 6-1 thrashing of Roberta Vinci. She played as about as well as she's capable of and was so confident that she even threw in a couple serve-and-volley points as well as a one-handed, sidespin backhand. Sharapova watchers know those are rare forays from the US Open defending champion. But like many young women with opening-night fever, she wanted to show herself worthy of wearing her new Big Apple gown.