The U.S. Open could have seen two all-American finals last weekend. Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati, and Lindsay Davenport all made it to the semifinals in their part of the draw. Unfortunately for the Americans, only Roddick was able to fight his way to the final round.
The weather last week kept the athletes on their toes. During four days of almost non-stop rain, only four matches were completed. More rain would have meant pushing the men’s final to Monday, something that has not happened since 1987.
The rain finally stopped Thursday, allowing play to continue, with a few changes. The United States Tennis Association announced the addition of a Friday night session during which the women’s semifinals would occur to help get the tournament back on schedule.
In the first women’s semifinal, Kim Clijsters defeated Davenport 6-2, 6-3. In the second semi, Capriati and Justine Henin-Hardenne played a mammoth match that lasted three hours.
Capriati had numerous chances to win but could not convert and Henin-Hardenne was able to finish out the match in a third set tiebreak. After her win, Henin-Hardenne had less than 24 hours to prepare for her finals match against Clijsters; part of her night was taken up by doctors giving her intravenous fluids.
Henin-Hardenne stepped onto the court Saturday night not knowing if she would make it through the match. “My legs were feeling heavy for sure. Mentally it was important to forget it,” she commented. Despite her long match the night before, Henin-Hardenne was able to overpower countrywoman Clijsters 7-5, 6-1 to win her first U.S. Open title.
In the men’s draw, Juan Carlos Ferrero faced the daunting task of playing Agassi in the semifinals. Ferrero, this year’s French Open champ, triumphed 6-4, 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 over Agassi to advance to the finals. Roddick had the tough task of playing David Nalbandian, the man who ousted Wimbledon champ Roger Federer, in the semis. It took five sets, but Roddick prevailed.
It took Roddick only one hour and 42 minutes to defeat Ferrero in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 to win his first Grand Slam title. Roddick is the second man to win both the boys’ and men’s singles titles at the Open, with Stephan Edberg being the first. “It hasn’t sunk in ... I’m in disbelief right now,” said Roddick after the match. With the win, Roddick will take first place in the Champions Race. Ferrero is currently second, followed by Federer and Agassi.
