Ted Robinson’s Matchpoints

Leaving Centre Court 15 minutes after Serena completed the Sisters destiny, a Saturday Wimbledon final, and there was a throng gathered at the base of the staircase outside our NBC broadcast location.

I have never seen that kind of gathering so I paused to assess.

It was Richard Williams holding court.

My views on the man are clear: he is reprehensible in his words (racist) and deeds (the abandonment of his first family including three kids, see VENUS ENVY by Jon Wertheim for more details.)

My views on the father are also clear: he and Oracene Price raised two intelligent, talented and increasingly classy women.

He has said he is leaving Wimbledon, that he can’t watch the Sisters face each other. It doesn’t matter that he won’t be here. He has already won.

Women’s tennis is in a precarious state. Globalization doesn’t sell in America, the best emerging American player in recent years won’t acknowledge the U.S. (Maria Sharapova), the tour is losing its title sponsor and the world’s best player abruptly quit.

So enter the women who propelled the tour to new heights in the early part of this decade. They have been part-time players since with part-time success. But now, with a vacuum at the top of the sport, temporarily occupied by Ana Ivanovic while Sharapova flounders through the summer, Venus and Serena have made women’s tennis relevant again.

When they play Saturday, for the third time in a Wimbledon final at a Club they have owned (only one women’s final this decade has been without a Williams), America will watch. And that matters in tennis. The world will also watch, if nothing else but to see how time has treated the Sisters.

They will see a mature Venus who carries herself with grace and has superior grass court movement. They will see a pleasantly maturing Serena, who has finally tempered the loose tongue that has often dismissed and disrespected opponents.

Venus is never more confident than on Centre Court. It is her Magic Kingdom. Serena is healthy, playing in her eighth consecutive Slam, a personal record.

They were both pressed in the second sets of their semis, but neither was threatened with defeat. They simply serve too well.

But they have faced overmatched competition to this point, particularly Venus. No one else can challenge them thus the challenge must come from each other.

Rarely in their previous Slam finals did that happen. Five years of wisdom and maturity could well lead to a better match. As unpleasant as the assignment may be, I think the Sisters will put their lives on hold for two hours and give us a worthy final Saturday.

Thursday was my arrival to the AELTC. Walking the grounds during the early afternoon, I was repeatedly struck by why Wimbledon matters. “The Queue”, yes it has it’s own official name, stretched through a neighboring golf course for nearly a mile, composed of tennis fans willing to wait hours for a grounds pass, simply a means to enter the gates.

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Does it work? As I walked to “Henman Hill”, a grassy slope thta fronts a huge TV screen named for the throngs that gathered to watch Tim Henman’s annual Wimbledon saga, I saw queue tickets laying on the ground. They were winners — people who were rewarded for their wait, likely an overnight stay, with early passes on to the grounds.

There is a new Court 2, the concrete shell complete awaiting the finishing touches for Wimbledon 2009. From its looks, it will rival the Roland Garros “Bullring” as a favorite for those who like intimate settings.

After an hour of cruising courts, watching doubles and amazed by the focus of players who serve and play while spectators chat and stroll just a few feet away, I happened upon Court 3 where James Blake was playing Rainer Schuettler.

Blake was in a struggle, facing a set point to go down 2 sets. He saved the set point, survived the tiebreak and went on to win the third. I left feeling Blake had secured the match.

And that’s when the day took a dark turn.

Within hours, Blake had blown the match, another inexplicable and disheartening for a player so liked and respected yet unable to deliver the goods in the big ones.

Schuettler has been on the fringes of the sport for years. How can a journeyman rally to knock out a top-10 player? Perhaps the answer came from a knowledgeable tennis man, whose identity must be protected, that said to me as we stood together watching Blake, “He has overachieved. He’s just not THAT good.”
 
Within moments came the stunning word of Maria Sharapova’s loss. The British papers, when not obsessing over Andy Murray, drool over Maria thus they are deprived of major strorylines. And the truth is that Sharapova has not seriously threatened to win here since her stunning 2004 title.
 
The coup de grace was Roddick falling to Janko Tipsarevic. The Serb is a fine player, witness his 5-set classic with Federer at Australia in January. But the nagging question for me is why Andy could not break the Serb’s serve in four sets. How can anyone expect Roddick to claim another major or even threaten the Big 3 if he can’t make a dent on another man’s serve?
 
Lots of questions I admit. More answers after I sense the aftermath of Thursday’s wipeout on the grounds Friday.

Headlines emphasize Maria Sharapova’s loss in Paris. But Monday wasn’t about Sharapova losing; it was about the arrival of Dinara Safina.

The Golden Girl is an uncomfortable clay courter, lacking the graceful movement so necessary and trying to win with fight and grit.

Check out MediaZone Tennis | E-mail Ted at MediaZone’s Mailbag | Sign up for my RSS FeedIn the first set, when Sharapova saved 6 break points and then 2 set points in a tiebreak, it looked to be another match that Maria would win on effort over excellence.

But, then Safina lifted her play for the first time in a Slam moment. This player of immense skill and equal measure self-doubt began to turn things her way when she appeared down and out.

The single moment that may elevate Safina to a top 10 player and legit Slam contender came on Sharapova’s match point. Safina unloaded a fierce two-hand backhand up the line to stay alive. And eventually Safina leveled the match with a tiebreak win.

Third set belonged to Safina in its entirety. No longer could Sharapova bull her way into a win, for on the other side stood a player who had erased her doubts. Safina closed out the match 6-2 to reach her third Slam quarter.

But this time no one (and Mats Wilander publicly proclaimed this) would be shocked if Safina could join her brother as a champ. The field is that open, although Sveta Kuznetsova has a Slam on her resume and Ana Ivanovic is playing like one as well.

David Ferrer is the intriguing man of the day. He rallied from 2-1 down to KO Radek Stepanek in 5 sets. One of the most unassuming top 5 players to ever play, Ferrer has placed himself into the realm of players who could challenge the big boys on clay. A Spaniard who openly admits he patterned himself after Lleyton Hewitt (who he beat in the third round), Ferrer is fit (consecutive 5-set wins), gives away nothing and changes direction on the ball better than anyone on tour.

Sounds a lot like the Jose Higueras formula for victory on clay? If Ferrer can outlast the wildly talented and erratic Gael Monfils in the quarters, a Fed-Ferrer semi could be an interesting warmup for Nadal-Djokovic.

Robby Ginepri has played the role of Lazarus before. In 2005, he arrived in Indianapolis with a rank around 100, in danger of missing the cut for the US Open, without an endorsement deal and with a new coach, Francisco Montana.

That hot week in Indiana, wearing clothes gifted him by a friend representing a fledgling company (UnderArmour), Ginepri won the tournament.

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And it started a run that saw Robby win 4 straight 5-set matches at the Open, reach the semis and finally ascend to 15 in the world.

He couldn’t sustain that pace, and the next 3 years have again been a struggle.

Falling to 171 in the world while young guns like Donald Young and Sam Querrey make their way could have pushed Ginepri to the end, but he has continued to fight.

His best move: connecting with Jose Higueras, whose credentials are unchallenged.

Now Ginepri is the last American in Paris, reaching the fourth round, not done by an American man since Agassi 5 years ago. And the shocking part has been Robby’s comments, that he never knew how to construct a point on clay, never understood how to play with his head until his alliance with Higueras and Diego Ayala.

Two questions: Why does it take players so long to understand the importance of strategy on clay? And does anyone doubt Roger Federer’s chances with Higueras in his corner?
 
Ginepri will play Fernando Gonzalez Monday, as the Chilean was one of Saturday’s 5-set heroes. Both Gonzo and Ivan Ljubicic rallied from 0-2 deficits to win, Nikolay Davydenko the shocking victim of Ljubicic’s comeback.

Inspired effort from Julien Benneteau who played 5 sets Friday and came back the next day to knock out a rested Robin Soderling. 

Could anyone have imagined the following representation in the men’s 16: France 5, Spain 4?

The women are loaded with Russians. In fact, 4 will play for one semi spot. Maria Sharapova is favored as she continues to fight as she displayed in an 81-minute first set against Karin Knapp.  But watch for Vera Zvonareva, talented but fragile, who appears healthy and has the game to move forward on clay.
 
Sunday belongs to the men on the big stage, with Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic playing back-to-back as they move towards a marquee semi.
 

Day 4 thoughts:

* True fans and observers know this but the large segment of the U.S. population than only knows Maria Sharapova for looks, commercials and swimsuits misses the mark of a champion.

Sharapova competes as well as anyone. She fights for all, gives away nothing. That trait, more than any skill, allows her to win matches she shouldn’t, to avoid ugly upsets and to advance on her least favorite surface.

Wednesday, she contracted the yips, offering a dreadful 17 doubles over 3 sets. Gusting wind threw off her game. And a 19-year-old named Evgeniya Rodina, in her first slam match, proved to be of strong mind.

When Sharapova tried to hit Rodina off the court, the teen retrieved all. When Rodina needed to hold serve, she placed her moderately paced serve well. She was able to hold when important. She seemed less bothered by the trying conditions, by the flying clay and sand, than the world number 1.

Although Sharapova prevailed, Rodina earned respect. And the honor that all will remember her name.

* Same for Thomaz Bellucci. A Brazilian who was known only to those on the Challenger circuit, Bellucci impressed Nadal and all observers with a sharp serve and forehand. He was not ready for the moment, but he shows enough to highlight the astounding depth in the men’s game. How many more Belluccis exist in the nether lands of the Challenger world?

* One way I know the world is small: Complaints abound in Europe about the price of gas! It’s not just us. French president Sarkozy is threatening action by France, truckers are striking in England and wails are heard from all corners of the continent. It seems that everyone feels our pain.

* Flying under the radar: Andy Murray smacked Jose Acasuso to reach the third round. Murray has been flighty, but his talent is undeniable as evidenced by the one-sided score against a good clay player. JC Ferrero, always a concern as a former RG champ, bailed in his first round match, eliminating one of the few possible threats in Fed’s half.

* Schedule questions: Nadal, on consecutive days, will likely play his second round match before Federer takes court. How does a 3-time champ receive such treatment?

* Finally, props to Robby Ginepri, a vet playing with his right arm heavily taped, who knocked out Donald Young, Mardy Fish, who despite a flight booking to Florida took down Argentine Agustin Calleri and Bobby Reynolds, a former Vanderbilt All-American (great concept- an American playing college tennis!), who took out Thierry Ascione in 4 sets. At least, the US has a chance to send some men to Week 2.

Rain will be the story of week 1 at Roland Garros. Unlike Tuesday, there should be windows sufficient to squeeze in play all days. But, patience will be the ultimate virtue and players will be tested with play on consecutive days. When play resumes Wednesday, expect heavy Hamburg-like conditions, unlike the hot dry day that helped Rafael Nadal in his final with Roger Federer here a year ago.

Some thoughts:
* The immediate winners in the aftermath of Justine Henin’s retirement were Maria Sharapova who inherited the #1 rank and Svetlana Kuznetsova who gained a favorable draw at RG. Henin’s absence placed the Sisters in the same half, and Kuznetsova safely in the other half, facing only a wobbly Anna Chakvetadze as a serious obstacle.

Kuznetsova conquered the conditions to win Tuesday while Sharapova will finally play her first match Wednesday morning.

* Roger Federer earned an early schedule win. Federer, a creature of extreme habit, successfully earned a Monday start while Nadal was placed on Tuesday’s card. Because of TV and ticket-holder greed, Nadal always plays late in the Paris day, thus leaving him vulnerable to rain. He never took the court until 7:30 Tuesday night, played 2 games and will return Wednesday to finish (forecast, by the way, is very good later in the day). But, now Nadal faces the certainty of at least one back-to-back sequence of play. Remember that at last year’s Wimbledon, Federer was calmly through in his half while Nadal played 6 times in the last 7 days. Only he can say whether that grind took a toll in the fifth set of their memorable final.

* Casual American fans dismiss this event for its blizzard of anonymous clay-courters. But it’s so refreshing to see the love for the sport and the resulting focus in a place like Paris. They want a local champion so badly, having waited 25 years since Noah (the weak attempt to adopt Mary Pierce in 2000 doesn’t count), that it struck me to see the cover of a major sports magazine, L’Equipe, feature Alize Cornet, France’s rising female hope. Cornet is only 18, and one need look at Gasquet to see the danger of premature hype. But Cornet gives the appearance of someone who relishes the bright lights. Given the melodrama here over Mauresmo and Gasquet’s problems with pressure and the unending injuries to Tsonga, look for Cornet to become the “hometown” hope.

An action-packed week for tennis: Roger Federer finally picked a coach and the selection of Jose Higueras signaled Federer’s intent on returning to form on clay (and the results were immediate, as Fed’s first title of 2008 in Estoril came in his first week of working with Higueras), the Davis Cup fallout continued with the French press hammering Richard Gasquet for ducking Andy Roddick last weekend, James Blake went to Houston and reached the final on clay albeit against a lesser field (but I see the Monte Carlo draw and Sam Querrey is the lone American) and, thanks to SI’s peerless Jon Wertheim, I learn that Alexandra Stevenson, 27 and ranked 258, qualified at Charleston and won a match before falling to Jelena Jankovic.

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But the real story of the week was in Charleston. And her name is Serena Williams.

She won the event, her second consecutive. She beat Maria Sharapova decisively which, after smacking Justine Henin in Miami, gives her wins over the top 2 women (computer be damned.)

Serena is fitter than any time since her reign atop the game ended in 2004. She is displaying the toughness that characterized her great years. Dropping a set to Vera Zvonareva in the Charleston final didn’t deter her, just as in the Miami final against Svetlana Kuznetsova or the Charleston match with Sharapova.

That match was a significant statement. Serena’s world changed when Sharapova hit her off Wimbledon Centre Court in the 2004 final. Now Serena has won the last 4 matches against Sharapova and hasn’t lost to her since 2004. Serena’s serve was emphatic as she won 16 of 18 points on her serve in the decisive third set in Charleston.

Serena is now back to 6 in the world. She heads to Europe as a threat to win again and women’s tennis needs this. The Slams will be much more fun with Serena in the mix.

Lindsay Davenport wasn’t a mom on the court Sunday in Key Biscayne, she was a champ again. In this year of a woman and a black running for our highest office, sensitivities are high. Thus, emanating from the black hole of the blogosphere are comments that Davenport should not be labeled a mom making a comeback, just as we didn’t reference Andre A as a dad trying to win one more Slam.

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Fair enough, but if we can put aside irrational sensitivity, what Davenport accomplished Sunday is precisely why she is praised: 9 months after giving birth she whacked the #2 player in the world.

Sorry but that is astounding.

To the match: Davenport struck the ball with power and precision from the first point. Whether Ana Ivanovic was in awe of Davenport’s returns or the experience of playing Lindsay herself is a matter only the Serb can answer. But for one hour in Miami, it was as if Davenport was again the champion and Ivanovic the upstart, rather than the reality of their current rankings.

By contrast, recall what Maria Sharapova did to Davenport in their second round Aussie Open match, Maria imposing her will on the former champ to remind Lindsay of the current pecking order.

The Miami draw opens for Davenport, she should be unthreatened until a potential semi against Jelena Jankovic. A few more wins and Davenport should hike her ranking high enough to ensure missing tough early-round matches. Meanwhile, Justine Henin and the Williams Sisters slug it out in the top half- can you believe that Serena and Henin may again meet in the quarters. Nothing should Serena more motivation to get herself out of the 8 seed.
 
It shouldn’t be hard to take a collection among the players for a nice retirement gift when Fabrice Santoro puts the racquet down. Again, he showed James Blake and the tennis world how you can survive among the bigger and stronger with lots of wile and guile. To me, Santoro is like a knuckleball pitcher – hitters hate facing them because they see them so rarely and they demand extreme patience.

I’ll miss Santoro because sport thrives on contrast. No one plays like Santoro, and Justin G predicted on our FSN telecast that no one ever will. If so, tennis will be poorer although many opponents will breathe easier.

At Key Biscayne for the first time, the tournament regarded by many as the “Fifth Slam,” and I can see why this event has earned that title.

A terrific tennis center with spacious grounds for fans to roam. Justin Gimelstob, my broadcast partner, says it’s too big, that the grandstand court feels as if it is in a neighboring county.

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First-class operation headed by IMG. This is nearly a Slam, 96 draws for men and women, full doubles and qualies. Working it all smoothly at “spring break” time in South Florida is a challenge well met.

Proof? The attendance. Only Maria Sharapova and Marcos Baghdatis are MIA among the top 20 men and women.

So there are quality matches every day and the argument grows that winning here is as challenging as a Slam, given the depth of field and fewer rest days. Certainly Roger Federer’s double of Indian Wells-Key Biscayne is outstanding, twice is astounding.

Tidbits from Saturday:

The U.S. won the Davis Cup in early December, the end of a 7-year journey led by Patrick McEnroe and Andy Roddick.

They had 8 weeks to enjoy their triumph. Now the tennis world dictates the U.S. begin defense of their title this weekend in Austria on clay.

Sensible, isn’t it?

Davis Cup is run by the ITF, a European outfit that indicates little understanding or concern about selling tennis’ premier international competition on the world’s biggest stage.

This lament is familiar but perhaps only repetition can hammer home the obvious truth that Davis Cup is thoroughly irrelevant in the U.S. outside of the hard-core tennis crowd.

Let’s chronicle the insanity:

Playing the championship match in the peak of pro and college football mania pushed the U.S. win into complete anonymity.

Giving the defending champions no reward risks blunting any momentum created by a country’s success. How does any legitimate competition explain how a reigning champion has to win an away tie, on a surface chosen to hurt them, to avoid facing a relegation match? How does the U.S. public buy such a concept, especially if the Austrians can pull of an upset and the US is forced to win a match this spring to stay in World Group?

Perhaps the early exits of Roddick and Bob and Mike Bryan from the Aussie Open gave them a slight edge in preparing for the indoor clay that awaits them in Vienna. It’s simply a shame that they even face such a challenge.

Then there is Fed Cup, charter members of the tennis witness protection program. The U.S. won today, beating Germany in San Diego, but unless you read the fine print of your sports section or cruise a tennis blog (thank you who do), you will never know.

The competition persists, despite the absurdity of Maria Sharapova representing Russia. (I admire her game but still await Sharapova’s first “Thank You” to the United States, the sole reason for her success and wealth).

Lindsay Davenport’s comeback included Fed Cup and she righted a stunning Day 1 loss with an easy victory over a German player unheard to me before today. (In fact, both German singles players were mysteries. Sad that Anna-Lena Groenefeld, not long ago a Top 20 player, has slid to where she only played doubles.)

Where is U.S. women’s tennis? Without the Venus Williams and sister Serena, the team needed a mom out of retirement and a player ranked 74, 22-year-old Ashley Harkleroad. But Harkleroad, a teen hope that fizzled, says she is getting better as she gets older. The US women need such a player.

Now the. women face a match with Russia … and Sharapova in the spring. The Russian Fed Cup captain, Shamil Tarpischev, also leads Davis Cup and will be on the court Friday when the Russian men host Serbia (Novak Djokovic and Jarko Tipsarevic) in a terrific first round tie.