2008 US Open – Women – Players to Watch
Earlier today we broke down the Players to Watch on the Men’s Side, and now we will take a look at our “Players to Watch” on the Women’s Side! Nick’s Picks along with Tennis Week and CBS Sports will bring you live coverage of the US Open from New York City. Check back everyday for insight leading up to the Open and then throughout.
Others to Watch
Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
Height: 5′10″
Weight: 132 lbs.
D.O.B: 07/231/1989
Turned Pro: 2003
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 15
2008 Titles: None
2007 US Open: 4th Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
This 19-year old Belarusian native has come on strong as of late, reaching the top fifteen in the rankings for the first time in her career. She went to the quarters in LA and the semis in Montreal, losing both times to eventual champ Dinara Safina.
Azarenka loves the hard courts and for a tall girl she moves well. She won the mixed doubles title here last year with NBTA alum Max Mirnyi so that should give her some confidence of playing on the big stages in NYC. There is no doubt in my mind that she is someone to watch very closely.
Alize Cornet (FRA)
Height: 5′8″
Weight: 132 lbs.
D.O.B: 01/22/1990
Turned Pro: 2006
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 18
2008 Titles: Budapest
2007 US Open: 3rd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Cornet has made the jump this year from a solid player to a very good one. She reached a career high of #17 in the world back in June and now she is hanging around #20. At only 18-years of age she has an extremely bright future. She won her first career title at Budapest in July, which should definitely help her confidence.
Cornet’s biggest weapon is her movement. She doesn’t have the biggest of serves, but once the ball is in play she knows what to do. I wouldn’t say the hard courts are her best surface, but she’s no slouch either. A good draw will help her tremendously.
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK)
Height: 5′3″
Weight: 121 lbs.
D.O.B: 05/06/1989
Turned Pro: 2004
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 19
2008 Titles: None
2007 US Open: 2nd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Cibulkova has sort of come out of nowhere over the last year or so. She has only played in five Grand Slams, and her best result was the third round at the 2008 French Open. She has never won a WTA title, but she just reached the finals in Montreal where she beat four seeded players including Marion Bartoli, Elena Dementieva, and Jelena Jankovic. Reaching the finals of a big hard court tournament like this will help her out tremendously for the US Open.
When playing in New Haven right before the Open she had to retire due to a heat related illness. This is something to watch out for in New York.
Nicole Vaidisova (CZE)
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 139 lbs.
D.O.B: 04/23/1989
Turned Pro: 2003
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 21
2008 Titles: None
2007 US Open: 3rd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
As bad of a year as it has been for Vaidisova, she demonstrated her talents at Wimbledon where she reached the quarterfinals. She has been working very hard at the Academy throughout the summer and looks to be in great physical shape. Vaidisova must play an offensive game and control play. To do this though, she cannot commit too many unforced errors, and she must be smart with her shot selection. The US Open would be a great place for her to show everyone once again how good she can be.
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
Height: 5′10″
Weight: 128 lbs.
D.O.B: 07/11/1990
Turned Pro: 2005
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Current Ranking: 22
2008 Titles: Stockholm
2007 US Open: 2nd Round
Nick’s Thoughts:
Wozniacki is another young player that I feel has a good future. She is only 18-years old, and just won her first career WTA tournament in Stockholm where she beat Radwanska in the semis. That has propelled her to a career high ranking of #23 in the world, and with a 33-13 record on the year she has proved to be pretty consistent.
Last year was the first time she played in the US Open, but I don’t think that will affect her too much. She knows how to win, and when you watch her play it doesn’t appear that she fears anyone. If you get a chance to watch her play, take advantage of it because she is a ball of fire!
A couple of other names to keep your eye out for are: Jie Zheng, Bethanie Mattek, Tamira Paszek, and Sabine Lisicki.
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