Serena Williams, Caroline Wozniacki Battle In U.S. Open Semifinals

Caroline Wozniacki [1] vs. Serena Williams [28]

Now that Caroline Wozniacki is playing tennis worthy of her No. 1 ranking again, her semifinal match-up with Serena Williams has become the highlight pre-final match of the women’s draw. Wozniacki has been No. 1 for almost a year now, but she has yet to win her first Grand Slam event (it’s not an enormous failing; she’s only 21). Serena, by contrast, is ranked a lowly No. 27, but she’s acclaimed as one of the greatest women players of all time and has bagged 13 major titles.

Wozniacki has a great talent for maneuvering her opponents out of position and wearing them down. And in the past few weeks, her forehand has become more of a weapon. By contrast, Serena likes to end points quickly—her serve can be devastating, and her groundstrokes so penetrating that they pin her opponents back in hopeless positions. This match will be decided by which woman manages to make the other adopt her game. If it becomes a slugfest, Serena wins. If Wozniacki can turn it into baseline duel, she has a great chance. —Peter Bodo

Peter Bodo's Pick: Wozniacki. Wozniacki’s back is up against the wall; she needs that first major title in a big way to back up her No. 1 ranking. After losing in one final and one semifinal here in the two previous years, it’s her time.

Steve Tignor's Pick: Williams. This is Williams’ event to lose, but if anyone can make her do that, it’s Wozniacki. These two once played to a third-set tiebreaker, and Wozniacki has been at her best in Flushing. Still, the match will be on Serena’s racquet.

Ed McGrogan's Pick: Williams. You could argue that this is Wozniacki’s final, and she should treat it as such. Her offense needs to be as sharp as her defense, and an off-night from Serena wouldn’t hurt. Even if all that happens, it still might not be enough.

Caroline Wozniacki Imitates Rafael Nadal’s Cramps Video

Rafael Nadal during a post-match press conference at the U.S. Open, landing him on the floor beneath the interview table and sending the tennis world into a brief tizzy, the world No. 1 women’s star pantomimed some pain of her own after surviving a thrilling three-set match.

Addressing the media following her thrilling comeback triumph over Svetlana Kuznetsova, Wozniacki imitated Nadal’s press conference cramping, sliding down her chair just like Nadal did. The only difference was that she had a big smile on her face.



After his win on Sunday, the Spaniard cramped up, grimaced and began moaning in pain in front of the cameras and dozens of reporters. He later brushed off the incident and said he was “just have cramping in my leg.”

As is often the case whenever an athlete makes an attempt at humor, some people thought it was inappropriate for her to poke fun at Nadal, while others thought it was simply a funny joke.

Maria Sharapova Loses To Flavia Pennetta At U.S. Open 2011

NEW YORK -- Maria Sharapova is out of the U.S. Open, upset in the third round by Flavia Pennetta.

The 2006 champion lost 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 to the 26th-seeded Italian on Friday. Sharapova had been 12-0 in three-set matches this year, including her first-round win.

Pennetta broke serve to clinch the victory in a match full of breaks, with the third-seeded Russian struggling with her serve.

Sharapova had reached her first Grand Slam final since 2008 shoulder surgery when she was the runner-up at Wimbledon.

Pennetta will next face 13th-seeded Peng Shuai of China, who beat 19th-seeded Julia Goerges 6-4, 7-6 (1).

Gael Monfils Video: French Tennis Player's Amazing Shot At U.S. Open 2011

We're used to seeing Roger Federer make at least one outstanding trick shot (usually a between-the-legs winner) at the U.S. Open. This time around, Gael Monfils took a page out of Federer's book... and tweaked it just a little bit.

In the first set of his second round match against Juan Carlos Ferrero, the French player was caught out of position as his opponent's shot was nailed directly at him. Monfils, who turned 25 today, had no other choice but to improvise.

He jumped up, reached back behind him and hit an around-the-back floater, causing the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium to let out a loud gasp during the point. Ferrero hit an overhead slam, but it landed out, giving Monfils the point. However, Ferrero challenged it and the replay showed that the ball hit the line, reversing the call.

Happy birthday Monfils!