Sixth ranked player James Blake would like 2007 to be his breakthrough year at the Tennis US Open. The 28-year-old American has already participated in seven US Opens. He has reached the quarterfinals each of the last two years.
In 2006, Blake lost to Roger Federer in four sets. Federer was the returning champ. Blake was born December 28, 1979 in Yonkers, New York. He began playing tennis at age 5. He was inspired to pursue the sport after hearing a speech given by his role model Arthur Ashe. Throughout his childhood, he practiced with brother Thomas, who also is currently a pro. Read more
If her performance thus far in 2007 is any indication, Ana Ivanovic of Serbia should be a favorite to compete for the 2007 Tennis US Open title.
The 19-year-old Serb and fifth ranked female player has participated in three US Opens, but has yet to advance beyond the third round. However, Ivanovic was a semifinalist at Wimbledon, the last Grand Slam, and a runner-up at the 2007 French Open. In London, she lost in two sets to top female player Justine Henin, while in Paris she lost to Venus Williams in the semifinals also in two sets. Read more
In 2007, the runner-up at last year´s Tennis US Open would like another opportunity to win his second Grand Slam title. American Andy Roddick is a former champion at the tournament. In 2003, he beat Juan Carlos Ferrero in a three set final. He returned to championship match last year, but lost to long-time nemesis Roger Federer in four sets. Meanwhile, it was Federer´s third straight US Open win.
Roddick has advanced to two other Grand Slam championships, namely Wimbledon, losing to Federer every time. He´s also a three-time semifinalist at the Australian Open.
Roddick is coached by brother John and Jimmy Connors who has served as a consultant since 2006. In 2001, Roddick was the youngest player to land in the ATP Top 20. He demonstrated his potential by stealing a set from Goran Ivanisevic, the eventual champion.
Many believe Roddick´s breaththrough year came in 2003, most notably during a quarterfinal match at the 2003 Australian Open against Younes El Aynaoui. The match featured a classic fifth set that lasted 2 hours and 33 minutes, a record at the time. At the end of 2003 Roddick was ranked No. 1, the first American to top the ATP since Andre Agassi in 1999.
In 2004, he was ousted early at the Tennis US Open by Joachim Johansson in a five set quarterfinal.
He has participated in seven US Opens. The tournament will be held at the USTA National Tennis Center Aug. 28 – Sept. 9 in Flushing Meadows, New York.
Roddick was born August 30 1982 in Omaha, Nebraska. In his career, he has won 401 matches and lost 126. In 2007, his record is 45-12. He has won a grand total of $12,804,276 and $1,040,990 in 2007. He currently resides in Austin, Texas.
In 2004, No. 4 ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia won her one and so far only Grand Slam title – the Tennis US Open. That year, she defeated fellow Russian Elena Dementieva in straight sets. It was the second all-Russian final in Grand Slam history. Unfortunately, a year later, she became the first female champion to lose in the opening round of the US Open. She was ousted by Ekaterina Bychkova. Read more
Russian Nikolay Davydenko will look to build on his previous Tennis US Open success in 2007. The fifth ranked player in the world has participated in six US Opens and reached the semifinals last year.
Davydenko has come close to winning a Grand Slam title several times. He has been a semifinalist twice at Roland Garros and a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open the last three years. Read more
No. 3 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia would like to take the next giant step as a professional tennis player – winning a Grand Slam title.
The third ranked women´s tennis player could realize that dream at the Tennis US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York August 27 – September 9. A semifinals appearance at the 2006 US Open and 2007 French Open is the closest she has come to championship glory. Read more
Third ranked Novak Djokovic of Serbia hopes to capture his first Grand Slam title at the 2007 US Open in Flushing Meadows, New York August 27 – Sept. 9.
A semifinals appearance at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year is the closest Djokovic has come to tasting championship glory.
Could this be a sign of bigger and better things for the 20-year-old Serb? Read more
Top women´s tennis player Justin Henin Hardenne of Belgium would like to reverse the outcome of the US Open Final in 2006 at this year´s tournament.
Last year, the 25-year-old Belgian lost to Maria Sharapova in straight sets. Henin has appeared in eight US Opens and won the 2003 title.
Justine Henin was born in Leige, Belgium on June 1, 1982, the same day as the Roland Garros quarterfinals that year. Read more
Rafael Nadal of Spain will try to prove that he´s more than a clay court specialist at the US Tennis Open in 2007.
Winner of three straight French Open titles since 2005, Rafa has yet to win a Grand Slam championship on any other surface.
Nadal has participated in four US Opens. The closest he´s come to a hard court championship at the tournament was a quarterfinals appearance in 2006. Read more
Don´t be fooled by her supermodel looks, No. 2 ranked female player Maria Sharapova is as aggressive and competitive as they come.
Sharapova enters the 2007 US Open as the defending US Open women´s champion after defeating Justine Hedenne Hardin in straight sets last year. The 20-year-old has already participated in four US Opens. Read more
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