Running U.S. Open discussion

Because, well, someone had to start it. And BTExpress needs to meet his quota of starting two discussions per year.

Uneventful first day. Good to see Clijsters back. Bad to see the tournament press the Easy Button and put the 29th-seeded woman as the prime-time match tonight. At least wait until she wins a couple of matches --- if she does --- and faces another seed.

 

Are we supposed to guess who the 29th-seeded woman is, or am I the only idiot?

 

Sharapova. Sorry.

 

Seriously, BTE, would people rather see No. 29 or the bogus No. 1?

Venus had a struggle last night and apparently has knee problems. I think she and Clijsters are in the same quarter, which could be interesting down the road -- 4th round, I think -- if Venus is hurting

 

Is Sharapova's father still coaching her from the stands?

 

Well, I'd rather see the No. 4 (Dementieva), who clobbered Sharapova 10 days ago. But that's just me.

Whenever he can get away with it. Last month's event in Toronto had between-sets coaching allowed. So he liked that. Doesn't do him or his daughter any good, though, when she double-faults 10 times and makes 25 errors per set.

 

And the bogus No. 1 loses the first set to some 167th-ranked Aussie named Olivia Rogowska.

 

And is now down 3-0 in the third. She's got 14 winners, 44 unforced errors.

 

Safina now down 4-2 in third set.

 

And apparently didn't lose another game the rest of the match.

 

Oh, Dinara. She kicks everybody's ass, except in the semis and finals of majors. So talented, but what a headcase.

 

I stand corrected. Apparently Yuri Sharapov is back in Russia --- hiking and skiing and other outdoor pursuits --- and has ceded coaching duties to Michael Joyce.