Second Three-Set Win, First Grand Slam Third Round

The real story at the U.S. Open Wednesday night was away from the limelight as American Ahsha Rolle reached her first Grand Slam third round by winning her second three-set match in a row. Her opponent, Karin Knapp of Italy, isn't exactly a household name, but Rolle took one step closer to becoming one, as she entered the tournament's elite 32. Out of the top 100 coming into the tournament, Rolle now is looking like maybe she should have been seeded. Her ranking certainly will be in the double digits instead of triple after this tournament. Who knows? Maybe it's even headed toward the single digits.
A Floridian who you just might have heard more of, Serena Williams, did well yesterday too. Serena Williams congratulated her next opponent, Vera Zvonareva, on reaching the third round. "And me too," she added in her very Sarah Jessica Parker look a la the last season of "Sex and the City."
What's up with the pink in the dress and the pink headband though? They're not the same shade of pink. Is that what's making her opponents freak? Or is it just Serena's tenacity and ability to raise the level of her game when she needs to? It's not every player who can skip all the summer's tournaments but still shake off enough rust to reach the final 32. But then talent has never been a question with Serena--probably still the most talented player in the field. Just not necessarily the biggest fighter, despite her periodic grunting tributes to past great and, like Serena, two-time U.S. Open champ Monica Seles, who has one more Grand Slam title than Serena (and would have won who knows how many more had it not been for the stabbing) and was said to be milling about the tournament Wednesday.
Serena is known for her slow starts, not only in matches but tournaments in general. Usually her better play doesn't show up till the later rounds, as though it booked a separate flight for the tournament and has been too busy sightseeing to be bothered with the first week. Serena wasn't just being a good sportsman after the match in her compliments to Maria Elena Camerin, who demonstrated just how deep the talent on the women's side is becoming. Maybe Camerin's results so far this year have sucked, but last night she looked like she had plenty of game and pop on her strokes, particularly her inside out shots. The one big area for improvement for Serena? Those little steps so she doesn't get jammed when the ball comes right at her, according to USA commentator and former two-time US Open champ (again, like Serena) Tracy Austin. What a pleasure it is to hear her interesting commentary instead of the conceited, contrary and often irrelevant drivel of someone like Johnny Mac, even if he isn't quite as awful a commentator as he used to be.
Not remotely like this superstar-caliber commentary! Go me. Go me. Go! Go! Go! Ahem.
Oh and Roger Federer won folks. Yes, he somehow managed to reach the third round not dressed like a White Hare, but in very Agassilike black. Wait a second. What's going on? The guy's cute and number one. I still am sticking with my ridicullous prediction that he won't win or, for the first time in nine Grand Slams, even reach the final. Despite the fact that my chosen winner, Nadal, apparently has health issues and barely won his match. We just won't go there people. No.