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The form players at the US Open - Page 3

© Michael Cecilio

If someone can match Serena with the pace of shot from the baseline and the serving power and spin (first and second), that person is Lindsay. However, it remains to be seen whether the superior physical - and at the moment, mental – capabilities of Serena Williams will be a dominant factor against Lindsay.

AMELIE MAURESMO
Seed: 10
Ranking: 9
Grand Slams: 0
2001 US Open performance: Quarter-finalist (losing to Jennifer Capriati)
Best US Open performance: Quarter-finalist (2001)

Amelie Mauresmo is one of the most talented players on the tour. She has won eight career titles, she has been ranked in the Top 5, she has beaten all of the top players (not named Williams) and has reached a Grand Slam final and two Grand Slam semi finals. However, now is a good opportunity for Mauresmo to step up and take her game to the next level.

Mauresmo is in excellent form. She won Montreal in great fashion, dominating Capriati in the finals. Her path to this stage of the tournament has been tough as she has had to guts out some tough wins against Top 10 players Kim Clijsters and Jennifer Capriati in the last two rounds. It is a sign that her physical strength and her talent has matched up with the mental aspect of her game which has been a clear deficiency since she came on to the tour.

However, will she resign herself to losing against a Williams? She knows she can beat anyone and has the game to beat anyone but as of yet has not claimed a scalp over Serena or Venus. It is obvious that it does weigh on her mind, having stated at Wimbledon that she would have to settle for the #3 ranking after the Williams juggernaut.

Add to that the pressure of a Grand Slam semi final. It will be interesting to see just how Amelie holds herself together on this occasion. I believe that there was nothing she could do to stop Serena at Wimbledon – Serena was just outplaying her. But I believe she has a big chance against Venus. Venus has looked slightly vulnerable as the tournament has progressed and although she won easily over Seles in the quarter finals, it remains to be seen whether Mauresmo’s variety of shot, athleticism and speed will force Venus into making more mistakes.

SEMI FINAL PREDICTIONS

SERENA WILLIAMS versus LINDSAY DAVENPORT
They both hit hard from the forehand and backhand, they both penetrate with power from the baseline and can hit accurately down the line, cross court, acutely angled or deep. Both serve with variety, excellent placement, good power and have perhaps the best second serves in the game.

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