2014 USO Early Discussion & Draw

[kskate2]

Let's use this thread for early discussion and the draw when it comes out Thurs.

Defending Champion is Serena Williams who defeated Vika in 3 sets.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Qualification draw can be linked here:
http://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/draws/us/r1s1.html
I see Melanie's name in there.
First day of qualifying is tomorrow.

Good timing K!

Is Vika playing for sure?

 

[kskate2]

Unlike Raphael, she hasn't withdrawn yet. So we'll wait it out

 

[kskate2]

Speaking of Melanie. TTC is showing old USO matches and had her 2009 run on today.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Mealnie Oudin, Tamira Paszeck, Michelle De Britto, Alla Kudiretsava are some names
that I could recognize in the qualifying draw.

So, nowadays Melanie has to win qualifying just to get to play. Did she do anything
of note after that USO run.

I heard that her mother had an affair with her coach and so her parents had to divorce
and the whole family situation got into a mess. I don't know whether any of it is true though.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

I don't have to wait for the draw. I have already voted.

 

[kskate2]

Mealnie Oudin, Tamira Paszeck, Michelle De Britto, Alla Kudiretsava are some names
that I could recognize in the qualifying draw.

So, nowadays Melanie has to win qualifying just to get to play. Did she do anything
of note after that USO run.

I heard that her mother had an affair with her coach and so her parents had to divorce
and the whole family situation got into a mess. I don't know whether any of it is true though.

She actually won a small grass tournament a year or two ago. That's right. She has a tournament win and a MXD doubles slam (w/ Sock I believe) and Sloane still has not reached a final yet.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I am going with Serena on this one. If Vika were healthy and in form, I would have gone with her, but she isn't. We have seen flashes of brilliance from Serena, but nothing consistent. However, even an inconsistent Serena is beating these girls this summer. Serena is going to have to guard against the upset early and be 100% focused from the start.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Mealnie Oudin, Tamira Paszeck, Michelle De Britto, Alla Kudiretsava are some names
that I could recognize in the qualifying draw.

So, nowadays Melanie has to win qualifying just to get to play. Did she do anything
of note after that USO run.

I heard that her mother had an affair with her coach and so her parents had to divorce
and the whole family situation got into a mess. I don't know whether any of it is true though.

She actually won a small grass tournament a year or two ago. That's right. She has a tournament win and a MXD doubles slam (w/ Sock I believe) and Sloane still has not reached a final yet.

Yes, she won USO Mixed Doubles with Jack Sock; I remember that. But, I don't remember
her tournament win. But, I think it is probably safe to say that she is just a flash in the pan.
But, I can sympathize with her. With a bad family situation, it would be hard to focus on
the game and hone the skills.

 

[shawnbm]

Genie breaks through, although the health issues were a concern there for a while. I think Serena loses before the finals.

 

[tossip]

Genie breaks through, although the health issues were a concern there for a while. I think Serena loses before the finals.

Genie is not winning the USA Open...she has lost confidence.New York is draining for most players and most European players struggle with the swirling wind on Arthur Ashe .. the sheer size of the arena plus the noise ...
I think the winner of this event will be a hard hitter who can master the wind on Arthur Ashe..not a double fault machine.

 

[tented]

I looked at the list of champions for the past 10 years:

2004: Kuznetsova
2005: Clijsters
2006: Sharapova
2007: Justine Henin
2008: Serena Williams
2009: Clijsters
2010: Clijsters
2011: Stosur
2012: Serena Williams
2013: Serena Williams

Clijsters and Henin have retired, so that eliminates 4 out of 10. I don't see Stosur winning this year (or any other, really).

That leaves Serena, Sharapova, and Kuznetsova. I suspect Svetlana is past her sell-by date, which leaves Sharapova and Serena.

For Maria to win, Serena would have to go out first. Serena has had a shaky year at majors, so it's hard to say what will happen in New York, but she won't lose to Maria.

Azarenka isn't even close to winning a major, and Radwanska will inevitably stumble before the semis. Bouchard is in a shame spiral she can't shake. The only other true contenders are Li Na and Halep. Maybe Kvitova, but she's another one who has trouble in New York.

But despite the weird losses this year, I still think Serena wins it.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Li Na is not playing USO.

 

[tented]

Li Na is not playing USO.

That's right. I forgot. Definitely not a contender ....

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

In regards to Halep,I am not in favour of Top players playing a event just before a Major,I understand the reason why Halep is playing in New Haven.Hopefully next year,Halep and her team will look closely at her playing schedule.

 

[tented]

In regards to Halep,I am not in favour of Top players playing a event just before a Major,I understand the reason why Halep is playing in New Haven.Hopefully next year,Halep and her team will look closely at her playing schedule.

I agree. None of the women (or men) playing this week will win the USO.

Can anyone think of an example of someone winning it after playing the week right before?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ Just did a quick check on Wikipeda ( thank goodness for that link)

Venus Williams defeated Monica Seles in New Haven tournament,then when on to win the USO defeating Davenport in the final in 2000.

Venus also played her sister Serena in the USO in 2001,which Venus also won,still checking to see if Venus played a tournament just before the USO in that year.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ Venus played New Haven in 2001 and defeated Davenport in the final,then went on to win the USO 2001 and defeated her sister Serena Williams in the final.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

^ If I am incorrect regarding Venus someone let me know.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Correct you are.
I can understand players taking a week off before a major but I don't subscribe to the idea that playing the week before is detrimental.

Vike played and won Sydney before she won Aussie Open 2012.
This example is in addition to what fashionista wrote above.