Make yourself heard

Let's face it. As women most of us got the message that we're supposed to placate, get along, be seen but not heard. If you look at who's winning on the tennis courts, you might want to rethink the wallflower approach. It certainly worked for Monica Seles (above), one of the original grunters on the WTA tour.

Last night a friend who I'm playing doubles with in a social tournament on Sunday told me to try grunting when I serve. She's rated 3.5 and has a pretty powerful first serve. Her advice comes from a serve clinic she attended last weekend. After work tonight, I went out with my ball hopper (thankfully, I was the only on the two courts) and gave it a whirl. Definitely gave my serve a little extra oomph. Maybe it will psych out the competition on Sunday.

Another Belgian is back

Today former world #1 Justine Henin announced she was returning to the tour, putting an end to her retirement. Henin retired in 2007 at the ripe old age of 25. Tennis Channel commentator Justin Gimelstob wrote on Twitter: "Henin coming back is as predictable as me cramping in DC during the summer; very few athletes can successfully acclimate to life after sports."

Henin has won 7 slams. She's beaten her fellow countrywoman Kim Clijsters in all their Grand Slam encounters. The woman's game will become even more unpredictable with Henin's return. A good thing? Not so sure.

Meet the new king of New York

It's come to feel almost inevitable that when Roger Federer is in a Grand Slam final (which has been most of the time the past five years), he'll win. And mostly, that's the case, because Federer (called the Greatest of All Time -- or GOAT -- after winning a Slam at the French this year and exceeding Pete Sampras' record of 15 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon months ago) is brilliant and knows how to dig his way when need be out of the jaws of defeat. Not this time.

Juan Martin Del Potro ended Fed's five-year reign at the U.S. Open. 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2. Lots of heart and gritty play from the 20-year-old Argentine (who beat Nadal resoundingly in the semis, allowing the Mallorcan only 6 games). DelPo has won me over with his sweet personality, humility, and stellar shots. A wild conclusion to an unpredictable, exciting tournament.

Feeling the joy

Kim Clijsters couldn't really celebrate Saturday night after the surreal, bizarre ending in her semi-final victory against Serena Williams, who lost the match on a penalty point. I won't repeat that sad story, since even people I know who don't follow tennis were talking about it today at work.

Last night Kim Clijsters got to let loose for real after defeating Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3 in the U.S. Open women's final. She's the first mother to win a major since Evonee Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980. Her victory was far from assured. The teen Dane played solid and smart in the first set, but Kim played aggressive, great tennis in the second set. Her win is all the more amazing given that she just returned to the tour this summer (the Open was her third tournament) after getting married and having a daughter, the lovely blond, curly haired Jada (now 18 months old). So, Kudos to Kim, who's often called the best liked, friendliest woman on the tour.

From Paula Poundstone, who I don't think of as a tennis pundit, referencing Federer's amazing between-the-legs shot in his semi against Djokovic yesterday:
"Now we have to have affordable health coverage to cover all the guys who will sever their testicles trying to make that tennis shot."

Serena's footfault, cont.

Kim Clijsters should be the story of week two after coming out of a two-year retirement to return to the tour. Clijsters is in the finals tonight against Caroline Wozniacki, a match she will likely win. But no, Serena is the story after she went off with much vitriol at a lineswoman last night (see previous post).

Tom Perrotta (no, not the novelist but a writer for Tennis magazine) has an interesting take on Serena's meltdown and foootfaults.

Bad behavior

What got into Serena Williams tonight? Playing Kim Clijsters in the semis at the U.S. Open, Serena couldn't get her game together. Clijsters beat Serena (6-4, 7-5) using a combination of aggression, speed, and solid shot-making, but the World #2 also beat herself. She wasn't getting many first serves in and she was winning a dismal 33 percent on her second serves (which lacked their usual kick).

When Williams smashed a racquet in frustration when she double-faulted to hand Clijsters the first set, I thought maybe a little anger would help her get her head in the game and get her game together. Nope. I've seen Serena play flat, and though I wouldn't accuse her of that tonight, I have to level a worse charge.

As Serena served down one set at 5-6, 15-30, a linesperson called a foot fault on Williams' second serve, putting the score at 15-40. Serena, who didn't appear to foot-fault according to the replay, went off on this woman, who appeared half her size. According to the LA Times, which cites the accounts of courtside spectators, Serena said: "You don't know me. You better be right. I could shove this ball down your throat." Really awful. Unsportsmanlike.

Her hideous outburst and the earlier racquet abuse combined for a point penalty. With that, she lost the match and her dream of capturing her third Slam of the year. A shame, really, and horrible to behold in someone I admire and support. She showed no contrition in the press conference afterwards. I'm left with a sour feeling.

Gotta give kudos to Klijsters, who I imagine will beat Wozniacki in the final tomorrow, for playing a great, focused match and looking like a real champion.

Regaining his old ranking

Rafael Nadal overcame Gael Monfils tonight after losing the first set in a tiebreak. The two fastest guys in tennis had breathtaking rallies, with many back and forth exchanges going more than 25 shots. Rafa really stepped up his game and ground down the athletic Frenchman. Heartening to see. Nadal faces Fernando Gonzalez in the quarter finals. Should be a good match, but I think Rafa will prevail.

Andy Murray went down in three sets against Croatian Marin Cilic, a real rout (7-5, 6-2, 6-2). Cilic was very aggressive What happened to the Scot, who some people thought would win the tournament? Hard to say, but Cilic will face Juan Martin Del Potro in the next round. Tough luck, since Delpo plays incredible ball.

Anyhow, as a result of his Murray's loss and Nadal's win, Andy will surrender his #2 ranking to the Mallorcan. Good news for all of us rabid Rafa fans!

She slays Russians

She's done it again! First Dementieva and now Sharpova! Melanie Oudin, the story of the first week of the U.S. Open, beat Maria Sharapova today: 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. And, as Tennis magazine's Tom Perrotta noted on Twitter: "Add this to the long, long list of things to like about Melanie Oudin: No noise. Maybe she'll start a trend."

Much already has been written about the pink and yellow tennis shoes Oudin sports (which she designed), in which the word "Believe" is inscribed on the side of the shoes. There's no way to make a beautiful segue here, but I played doubles today, and experienced firsthand that kind of belief ... fleetingly. My partner and I were up 5-4 in the first set. We were playing very well. She was solid on the back court and I was doing well at the net. So, what happened? We dropped the next three games, losing the first set 5-7. Then we proceeded to go away, in sports parlance, and lost the second set 2-6. Really painful, because I now believe that we could have won the match. So much to learn by losing. Am looking forward to seeing Oudin take on another Russian, Nadia Petrova.

R is for...

If I were at the U.S. Open, I would have been among the throngs at the practice courts yesterday. Gotta love this guy.

What a stunner!

How thrilling it is to see young American, Melanie Oudin, in action. I just finished watching her play -- and beat -- Elena Dementieva, who is seeded fourth at the U.S. Open. The 17-year-old, 5'6" Oudin, who hails from Marietta, Georgia, is incredibly match-tough and seems to love the big stage. She beat Jelena Jankovic at Wimbledon earlier this year.

Oudin lost the first (5-7) set and came back to win the second 6-4. Oudin is ranked 70 in the world (and the third ranked American woman after #2 Serena and #3 Venus), but she's coming up. Oudin had her thigh taped, and it gave her trouble as she headed toward the finish line in the third set. At one point, she was obviously in so much pain she was trying to defend against tears. However, she was able to keep Dementievia on the ropes (the Russian was playing defensively but not poorly the whole time) and persevered, winning the final point on an ace and the third set at 6-3. A totally victory. Sharapova awaits in the next round. In any event, we've got a new exciting American woman who seems likely to rise through the ranks. At last!