Williams, Glatch in All American First Round

You could say they come from two different ends on the spectrum.  One is the defending champion and is regarded as the best player in the world.  The other needed a wildcard from the USTA to gain entry to the main draw.

Everybody knows Serena Williams and The Williams' Sisters.  The two could meet in the semi finals this year since they are seeded #2 and #3.

Alexa Glatch is a nineteen year old American from California who, for the last four years has been making her way back from a horrific car accident where she broke her wrist and elbow.  2009 has been her best year yet even though it really doesn't reflect in her ranking.  She happens to have 5 wins over top 50 players so far this year.

The pair met in Key Biscayne earlier in 2009 with Serena winning the second round match.  Look for Glatch to be able to match Serena in the pace department, feed off the energy of the crowd, and try to wear Serena down.

Weather for U.S. Open Start Looks Perfect

As Summer turns into Fall, tennis professionals and fans always look at the weather forecast for the days ahead at The U.S. Open.  So far, the weather looks ideal for the first week.  Seasonal temperatures in the 70's and clear to partly cloudy skies look to be the rule.

Bring a jacket or sweatshirt for those night matches.  As those men's matches stretch into the wee hours it will get a little cool.  Nice weather usually favors the top players, but look for long, close matches where it still pays to be the fittest player.

if the temps heat up into the 80's the ball tends to move faster.  That favors big servers like Andy Roddick, Ivo Karlovic, and John Isner.  As well as Venus and Serena on the women's side.

m.usopen.org to Give Mobile Updates

I mentioned in an earlier entry that there is a U.S. Open iPhone app, well anyone can get up to date information from The U.S. Open from their mobile site at m.usopen.org.

News, live scores, updated draws and player bios will be available.

 

NCAA Champ Britton to Play Federer

The 2009 Men's U.S. Open Draw was announced today and right at the top of the draw sheet a pairing stood out to me.

#1 Roger Federer (SUI) vs. Devin Britton (USA)

The current NCAA Champ Devin Britton, who was given a wildcard because of his NCAA title will take on the greatest player of all time and he appears to be embracing it.  See his Twitter post:

The match, which will more than likely be a night match on Arthur Ashe Stadium Court will show a national television audience what the future of American Tennis might look like.  Nobody expects Britton to beat Federer, or even take a set, but it gives a promising young American an experience he will never forget. Should be fun to watch.

U.S. Open Draw Televised Live on ESPNEWS

Trying to capitalize on the popularity of televising such events as The NCAA Basketball Tournaments, The NFL Draft, and World Cup Soccer Draws, ESPNEWS will provide live coverage at 12 noon est of the U.S. Open Men's and Women's draws.

If you have never seen a draw made live before it can be interesting to see how the seeds are placed and how random the draw-making procedure is.  Listen for your favorite players name to be called, see where the qualifiers and wildcards end up, and see if Federer and Nadal or the Williams' Sisters are on the same side of the draw.