Fuente: © US Open (Tennis)
http://www.usopen.org/

US OPEN: Day 12: Bill Mountford Picks

/noticias.info/ by Bill Mountford
Friday, September 9, 2005

No. 6 Elena Dementieva (RUS) vs. No. 12 Mary Pierce (FRA)

Mary Pierce renewed her commitment to training and has gotten herself into tremendous shape. This is crucial because when she gets to the ball, on balance, she possesses peerless groundstrokes. She appears to be in such good spirits and has handled her success this season with aplomb.

Elena Dementieva might be the best mover on the women's tour. People frequently criticize her serve, and especially her second serve, but consider how tremendous a player she must be to succeed despite this suspect delivery. She also has spectacular groundstrokes. Dementieva needs her first-serve success rate to be above 70 percent because she simply cannot rely on winning a point when she hits a second serve to other top-ranking players.

Expect this to be a fiercely contested, hard-hitting match. Mary Pierce will capitalize on having more break-point chances and owns the better serve. As long as she can avoid turning this match into a road race, then she will win. Expect Pierce to advance to her first US Open final, at the age of 30, by the way, in a three-setter.


No. 1 Maria Sharapova (RUS) vs. No. 4 Kim Clijsters (BEL)

Maria Sharapova had been advancing with impressive efficiency until Nadia Petrova extended her in the quarterfinals. During this match, Maria seemed on the brink of breaking but held her nerve enough to advance. Expect Clijsters to probe a little further today. Maria will rely heavily on her serve, which is probably the best in the women's game.

The biggest advantage that Kim Clijsters holds over Sharapova is court movement. Kim flies out there, and Maria can sometimes appear awkward. There has been considerable speculation that she may still be growing, which might explain why she is less swift than she seemed a year ago. She will try to run down every ball, which is a testament to her champion's spirit. Clijsters will need to press her advantage in quickness. If she can extend the rallies and get Maria moving from side to side, then she will be pleased with today's result.

If Clijsters can return effectively, then she will win easily. If Maria plays at the top of her game, it will go three sets. I predict that Clijsters will win in straight sets and continue her march toward a first-ever major title. notas_de_prensa_archivo