TENNIS.com - Features - The Wrapsheet: US Open 2008 Day 6

Photos of the Day

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Quotes of the Day

"Hey, ten years later I'm still not talking."
         – Venus Williams, on the infamous bump incident against Irina Spirlea in the 1997 US Open semifinals

"That was last millennium, so last millennium."
         – Venus Williams, on whether she'd go back to her beaded hairstyle

"I made it to the CBS weekend. That was the goal."
         – Sam Querrey, on playing and winning his Saturday match

"The main thing from that match I remember, I was playing at 2:00 and I knew ESPN went on the air at 3:00. I wanted to make it to 3:00 to get some ESPN time, which I did."
         – Querrey, on his first meeting with fourth-round opponent Rafael Nadal

"I like the TV time, you know."
         – Querrey, stating the obvious

"His height."
         – 6'10" Ivo Karlovic, on what he found most difficult about 6'6" Querrey's serve

"I don't think I'd have as many [Grand Slams if Venus hadn't been around] because she motivated me, especially being young and watching her play. The mistakes she made, I made them with her... I was able to grow with her on the sidelines, so to say. Also, she motivates me. When she became No. 1, I suddenly got motivated to be there, too. If anything, I think she definitely helped my career."
         – Serena Williams, on sister Venus' effect on her career

Maybe after my career I will think to be in NBA. I love the NBA. I love the show they give the player. I mean, maybe in tennis sometime it's toostiff, like some guys wants to keep the emotion. Me, I'm not like this, you know. Like, my culture is to be very fun and enjoy the life."
         – Gael Monfils, being told he might have become a basketball star

"It was very strange looking at myself on the big screen."
         – Timea Bacsinszky, on playing on Ashe Stadium for the first time

"Actually, yeah, it's like a big bomb, because I'm first player that's been in top 30."
– Agniezska Radwanska, now in the Top 10, on her impact on tennis in Poland

Saturday's Results of Note

Dinara Safina (RUS) [6] def. Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2

The womens' draw avoided a second major upset as Safina, two points away from losing the match in the second set, gathered herself in the third. Like any blonde(-ish) Russian enjoying a good run, Safina is being dogged by double faults -- she had 29 in her last two Olympic matches, 10 in her first round here and seven against Bacsinszky -- but at least she's not getting psyched out by them.

As for the 19-year-old Swiss, it was a good showing that indicates she's back on track after missing time with a wrist injury last year.

Mardy Fish (USA) def. James Blake (USA)[9] 6-3, 6-3, 7-6(4)

Even a noisy J-Block couldn't help Blake as Fish recorded an almost routine victory, including five straight points in the third-set tiebreak.

Sam Querrey (USA) def. Ivo Karlovic (CRO) [14] 7-6(5), 7-6(5), 6-2

After his defeat of Tomas Berdych in the first round, this win over a fellow giant server gives Querrey his second straight-sets win over a seed in this tournament. Best shot? A lob winner over the 6'10" Croat in the first-set tiebreak.

Kei Nishikori (JPN) def. David Ferrer (ESP) [4] 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5

An impressive win for the 18-year-old Japanese, defeating the indefatiguable Ferrer after dropping a two-set lead. "Hurting everywhere" was his report on his physical status after the match, and this after having suffered cramps in his opening round.

Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) [17] def. Gilles Simon (FRA) [16] 6-4, 6-7(4), 6-1, 3-6, 6-3

There were times in this match when del Potro looked like his amazing summer was catching up with him, but held strong to record his 22nd match win in a row.

Andy Murray (GBR) [6] def. Jurgen Melzer (AUT) 6-7(5), 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-1, 6-3

Murray had set points in the first set and almost blew the third-set tiebreak, but subsequently marched to victory as Melzer melted mentally and physically (cramps). It's the second time in as many Slams that Murray has come back from a two-set deficit, and just s he did against Richard Gasquet at Wimbledon, he flexed his bicep at the end of the match.

Anna-Lena Groenefeld (GER) def. Alize Cornet (FRA) [17] 6-4, 7-5

The great Groenefeld return continues with yet another seeded victim. Including qualifying, Gorenefeld has now won six matches at the US Open, and even Safina says she's not taking her lightly when they face off next.

Sunday's Matches to Watch

Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [21] v. Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [2] Arthur Ashe Stadium - 11:00 am

Wozniacki has won 15 of her last 16 matches, but she's only defeated one top 10 player in that run. Still, Wonzniacki did take Jankovic to three sets at Wimbledon, and the second seed hasn't been in great form here so far.

Radek Stepanek (CZE) [28] v. Roger Federer (SUI) [2] Arthur Ashe Stadium - 2nd match

This match gets a little extra cachet from the fact that Stepanek defeated Federer in Rome, and the Czech's attacking game against Federer's all-around skills will make for an attractive matchup. But it'll be a surprise if Stepanek can repeat his Rome feat.

Elena Dementieva (RUS) [5] v. Na Li (CHN) Arthur Ashe Stadium - 7:00 pm

This could be a very close one. Li will be looking for revenge against the only Russian medalist she didn't play at the Olympics, but Dementieva is feeling very free after having that gold medal hung around her nexk.

Marin Cilic (CRO)[30] v. Novak Djokovic (SRB)[3] Arthur Ashe Stadium - 2nd evening match

The Croatian teen has talent, but would have to play the match of his life to topple Djokovic.