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The form players at the US Open

© Michael Cecilio

So what separates them?

If we go by previous head-to-head results, then a lot! Serena has dominated this rivalry from the outset and it is a clear fact that Serena is Lindsay's jinx player on the tour. As hard as Lindsay hits, she just doesn't have the athleticism nor the foot speed to match it with Serena who is just phenomenal in this department.

It is hard for Lindsay to get the first strike against Serena who serves impeccably on the first and second serve and who dominates on the groundstrokes. Even when Lindsay does, Serena gets to the shot and can turn defence into attack, exposing Lindsay's lack of foot speed.

This fact has weighed on Lindsay's mind and forces her to go for too much. With forcing comes the errors. Given the fact that they've played nine times in the past and Serena has won seven, it does not bode well for Lindsay's confidence and her self-belief, especially during the tight moments of the match.

Lindsay has the tools to beat Serena if she serves well, keeps a high percentage of first serves coming and is on top of the return. But more importantly she needs to have the mentality that she can do so. That remains to be seen.

I say S. WILLIAMS defeats DAVENPORT 6-2 7-5.

VENUS WILLIAMS versus AMELIE MAURESMO
I am impressed with the way Mauresmo has fought through some very tough matches which she could have just as easily lost. She won 4-6 6-3 7-5 over Kim Clijsters and 4-6 7-6 6-3 over Capriati. It signals to me that she is ready to take her game to the higher echelons.

I'm equally impressed with Williams's performance against Chanda Rubin as she fought her demons to win in 6-2 4-6 7-5.

Again, a big factor in this match is going to be the serve. I feel Venus will win, but it is up to Amelie as to how close she wants to make it. Fans of Amelie go through heart-attack after heart-attack with her inconsistency and she can lose to anyone just as she can beat anyone.

Lately, it seems she is in her "beat anyone" phase and truth be told, she has the weapons to beat Venus. She has the athleticism and the speed and the power to take her challenge up to Venus. And something which I feel is important is that she has the variety in her game with the different spins, placements and net play. Given that Venus has been shaky on the forehand, I feel Mauresmo's variety can expose this weakness during pressure moments.