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Page 2
VENUS WILLIAMS
Despite posting the strongest results in the lead-up tournaments, she has not regained the #1 position but would do so with a US Open win. Having not won a major this year, I believe Venus is determined to take her chance on the final Grand Slam of the year. Her form from the lead-up tournaments carried over to the first week of the championships and cruised in dominant fashion just like Serena. The stumbling block came against Chanda Rubin in the fourth round against whom she faced serious problems. The technical weaknesses in her forehand and her second serve became apparent when she was put under pressure and these shots broke down to give Chanda two break points in order to serve for the match at 5-5 in the third. It was Venus’s determination, tenacity and refusal to win that got her through those tough times and I believe that against someone as technically gifted and powerful as her sister, that is going to be her strongest weapon – her refusal to go down and her refusal to lose. LINDSAY DAVENPORT She may have been off the tour since November 2001 recovering from a serious knee injury but her return to the circuit has been nothing short of scintillating considering what she has had to go through. Coming into the US Open, Lindsay has recorded two semi-finals and two finals in her comeback tournaments and has posted wins over big names including Jelena Dokic, Chanda Rubin and Amelie Mauresmo. She has cruised through a fairly cushy draw with a slight hiccup against Elena Bovina in the quarter finals. It was a good draw for Lindsay to get her game progressively into shape with each match in order to prepare for the latter stages of the tournament. Against Serena Williams in the semi finals she faces her toughest task. Having played Venus twice in the lead-up tournaments, Lindsay got demolished the first time – a sign she was not ready to return to that level of competition – and mentally lost her way the second time – a sign she does not believe she can vanquish a Williams.
The copyright of the article The form players at the US Open - Page 2 in Women's Tennis is owned by Michael Cecilio. Permission to republish The form players at the US Open - Page 2 in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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