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Venus, Fish, Ginepri Fly for U.S.

Written by Matthew Cronin
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Venus Williams caught a strong whiff of her former champion's scent on Wednesday, while her countrymen, Mardy Fish and Robby Ginepri, also came up smelling like roses. In a terrific day session for the U.S., two-time champion Venus, former semifinalist Ginepri and former top-20 player Fish showed off their best when it counted in scoring wins. Venus played a high-risk affair in overcoming Romanian teen Ioana Raluca Olaru, 6-4, 6-2, in the second round, while Ginepri ran over Olivier Rochus of Belgium, 6-0, 6-3, 6-1, in his opening match. Fish, coming off a final-round appearance in New Haven, overcame Mexico's Bruno Echagary, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2. Venus struggled at times with the ambitious Romanian, who was content teeing off from the ground and using her foot speed, but Williams was much more effective with her serve and handling the mid-court balls. Williams is seeking her first U.S. title since 2001. “I missed a few shots that were easy, but ultimately, it's important to get to the next round,” Venus said. “I always feel like my game will be there. I'm not stressed out on a few shots. Feel a little wiser, so it was good today. I feel like when I need the points, I get them. I'm playing very strong. Everything is going well.” Venus could face fifth-seed Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round, who continued her summer steamroll with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over France's Aravane Rezai. Ivanovic is hoping for another shot at Venus, who took her out in the Wimbledon semifinals. “It's not a big secret that this part of the draw is much harder,” Ivanovic said of the top half, which also includes Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic. “There's many good players. Also, hopefully, I can win my next match and then play against Venus again. We had a tough one in Wimbledon just a few months ago. I would really be excited to play against her. I never beat her. But I think this is a different tournament, different circumstances. I am feeling even fitter than I was in Wimbledon. So I would really like to play against her. I definitely have a chance.” Ginepri has been seriously struggling this year but was on the ball all day against Rochus, a fleet-footed Belgian veteran who has taken down plenty of big scalps before. The Atlanta native fired away from inside the baseline and was adept at closing points out at the net. Ginepri, who reached the 2005 semifinals, says he feel more than at home in Flushing Meadows. “A switch pops in my brain or something that says, 'Start playing,'” Ginepri said. “I feel extremely comfortable on these courts. I've always really strived to do well. I've watched this tournament growing up for so many years. To actually be a part of it is phenomenal for me. Why I can't play like this the whole year has definitely been a question out there. Got through today and hopefully can keep pushing through.” Ginepri recently changed coaches and is now working with Jose Higueras, who has worked with U.S. notables Michael Chang, Jim Courier and Todd Martin. He believes that the change has already born fruit. “Already it's helped out immensely in my game and also the mentality part, which is big out here these days,” Ginepri said. “I feel more comfortable now on the court than six months ago. I didn't feel like I could keep three balls in play. For my type of game, that's where I need to bear down and really make a lot of shots, play a lot of long matches out there, run guys down. With that being said, I just got to keep on doing the things we've been working on the last month, carry it over throughout a whole season.” Fish is also looking for a new lease on life, as he's struggled with injuries since the winter. But he seemed to rediscover his all-court game in New Haven, where he fell to his good friend, James Blake, in the final. Fish will have a difficult second round, though, when he goes up against No. 8 Tommy Robredo of Spain. All the other marquee players got through in day action. Top-seed Justine Henin bounced Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria, 6-4, 6-0, while 2000 U.S. champion Marat Safin and former finalist Elena Dementieva won in straight sets. Safin downed Canada's Frank Dancevic, 7-5, 7-6, 7-6, and, like every player who has ever shone brightly at America's Grand Slam, is hoping to rediscover the wondrous sensations that made him a player to watch. "The only thing I have in mind is to fight and hope for the best days,” Safin said. “So just try to keep focus, try not to get upset and just work your way because, otherwise, it's tough for me to play well, especially when the confidence is not there. You need to help yourself a little bit more. So that's why I try to be a little bit more calm.“ http://www.usopen.org/en_US/news/articles/2007-08-29/200708291188437429953.html !