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Sampras, Williams sisters take shine out of US Open
New York, Aug 24: Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick are stealing the US Open spotlight in the absence of Broadway`s most beloved tennis stars, Pete Sampras and the Williams sisters.
New York, Aug 24: Andre Agassi and Andy Roddick are stealing the US Open spotlight in the absence of Broadway's most beloved tennis stars, Pete Sampras and the Williams sisters.
The year's final grand slam event opens here tomorrow on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts with a drama-filled men's lineup and a diminished women's field lacking top stars.
Sampras, who will retire in ceremonies here tomorrow, has reached the past three US Open finals. He defeated Agassi 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-4 in last year's title match for his 14th slam title in what was the final match of his career.
Six-time slam champion Serena Williams beat her sister Venus here in last year's final, but both siblings are sidelined by injuries. For the first time since 1971, no singles champion will attempt to defend at the US Open.
"It's a blow for the tournament," Agassi said. "You always want the best players there."
The Williams sisters have met in six of the past eight slam finals and owned the US Open since 1998. Not having Serena slinking around the court in her "pink panther" or "black cat" outfits will steal some zing from the fortnight.
World number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium and her second-seeded compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne are heavy favourites to reach the final with the Williams sisters gone and their main rivals injured.
Bureau Report
The year's final grand slam event opens here tomorrow on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts with a drama-filled men's lineup and a diminished women's field lacking top stars.
Sampras, who will retire in ceremonies here tomorrow, has reached the past three US Open finals. He defeated Agassi 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-4 in last year's title match for his 14th slam title in what was the final match of his career.
Six-time slam champion Serena Williams beat her sister Venus here in last year's final, but both siblings are sidelined by injuries. For the first time since 1971, no singles champion will attempt to defend at the US Open.
"It's a blow for the tournament," Agassi said. "You always want the best players there."
The Williams sisters have met in six of the past eight slam finals and owned the US Open since 1998. Not having Serena slinking around the court in her "pink panther" or "black cat" outfits will steal some zing from the fortnight.
World number one Kim Clijsters of Belgium and her second-seeded compatriot Justine Henin-Hardenne are heavy favourites to reach the final with the Williams sisters gone and their main rivals injured.
Bureau Report