SISTER ACT STILL PLAYING
CBS announcer Dick Enberg seems to be sporting a high-school crush on 19-year-old Ana Ivanovic, comparing her with the late actress, Rita Hayworth, yesterday, saying “She’s lovely to look at, with a game to match.”
But it is the Williams sisters doing the crushing – of the ball and their U.S. Open opponents.
Venus and Serena Williams are playing with the fire and heart that may take them to a duel Friday in an all-sister matchup in the Open semifinals.
With the already victorious Serena watching with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell from the USTA’s president’s box, Venus Williams routed the 6-foot, fifth-seeded Serbian beauty Ivanovic 6-4, 6-2 in the much-hyped rematch that closed the Ashe Stadium day card of blowouts.
Serena began the action with a 6-4, 6-3 straight-set topping of Marion Bartoli.
“That would be awesome because it would mean there is a Williams in the final and it would mean that Americans have a chance to win,” Venus said of a potential semifinal meeting against her sister.
The Williams sisters have combined for 14 Grand Slam titles, Serena hauling in eight, Venus six. If one of them captures the Open, it would cap a Williams revival, with three of the four Grand Slam trophies this year being housed in a Williams abode. Serena won the Australian, Venus Wimbledon.
But first things first. Serena will face the rugged Justine Henin in the quarterfinals. The draw looks easier for Venus, who will face third-seeded Jelena Jankovic.
Venus hasn’t won here since 2001. “Jubilee,” Venus said, remembering her Open title. “No one is more happy than me when I win.”
Nevertheless, the sisters don’t enjoy the head-to-head battles.
“I want nothing but the best for her and she wants nothing but the best for me, unless of course we’re playing each other,” Serena said. “That’s how we look at it.”
Said Venus, “We don’t really compete. We just try to help each other more or less.”
Nobody hits harder ground strokes on the tour than Venus, though Ivanovic’s forehand is getting there. But Venus is a terrific defensive player, and knocked back all of Ivanovic’s missiles, while serving wonderfully herself. Venus said she is moving more freely than in years past.
Venus won 83 percent of her first serves, while the 6-foot Ivanovic’s serve weakened as the match wore on.
“She’s a great player and serve was one of key things,” Ivanovic said. “On the other hand, I wasn’t getting as many free points as I was hoping for.”
Ivanovic was unable to control the points.
“I was hoping to get more into the rally, maybe even slow down a bit, try to make longer rallies,” she said. “Every time I had tried to slow down, she hit even harder.”
On the way to the Wimbledon title, Venus smoked Ivanovic in the semifinals.
But Ivanovic said she feels she is making progress against the elite players.
“Every year I play one round further, a couple of years time, I might win this,” Ivanovic said.
At 2-2 in the first set, Venus broke Ivanovic for the first time. It was a tough moment for the Serbian. At 30-30, she thought she had hit an ace but a late call ruled the serve a let. She hit another let before getting in her next serve. Out of rhythm, Ivanovic pummeled a backhand into the net, showing her mental game still is not up to Venus’ standards. On break point, Ivanovic punched a volley deep.
Venus cruised from there. With Maria Sharapova’s ouster, the player who survives the ferocious half of the draw is likely to be the champion. Venus has as good a shot as any.
“She is definitely playing some good tennis and has a good chance,” Ivanovic said.
