Usual suspects line up for US Open crown

World number one Serena feels unbeatable heading into Grand Slam.

NEW YORK:

Like a high roller on an endless winning streak, Serena Williams believes she just cannot lose.

Serena was not making any bold statements about her chances of winning the US Open, starting today, but with 16 grand slams titles already under her belt, she feels she is playing with the house’s money.

“I don’t need to do anything,” said Serena. “That’s the beauty of my career. I love to play tennis and I love winning and I think that keeps me motivated. I want to keep it up and I want to keep improving and try to keep winning.”



If the American wins again at Flushing Meadows, she will become the oldest female champion in New York since tennis turned professional in 1968.

Azarenka vows to make up for last year’s loss

Twelve months after her agonising defeat in the US Open final to Serena, Victoria Azarenka is back in New York determined to make amends.

Azarenka was just two points away from beating Serena in last year’s championship match when the American drew on all her experience and raised her game to win a three-set thriller.



“I never look back, I always look forward,” said Azarenka. “My head doesn’t spin all the way back. It will always be a special moment because I felt like that during the whole tournament, that final match left a big mark on my future career. I still feel that way. It gives you great confidence.”

Djokovic happy with preparation

World number one Novak Djokovic’s build-up to the US Open has been solid as he reached the semi-finals in Montreal and then the quarter-finals in Cincinnati. He said he was in a confident mood going into the mega event.

“I thought I played quite decent in these two weeks,” he said. “I wasn’t finding that extra strength to be calm and to play the right shots.

“That’s what happens, you know. You go through these periods. But my confidence is still there.”



At 26 and with six grand slam titles already under his belt, Djokovic is at the peak of his powers and showing no signs of slowing down or waning interest. “I feel that I’m in my prime in my tennis career and I really want to keep on playing tennis at this level hopefully for years to come.”

Murray unfazed by prospect of defending title

Andy Murray is brimming with confidence and self-belief as he prepares to defend his US Open title.

Returning this year as the defending champion has rekindled those memories, though he confessed his emotions last year were somewhat stifled.

“I was so relieved that night that maybe I didn’t have the chance to enjoy it as much as Wimbledon or the Olympics, for example,” he said.

“There is less pressure this time. I think before the first match I expect to be pretty nervous because it’s a new experience and it’s different. But I think once the tournament gets going, I don’t think it changes too much.”

Published in The Express Tribune, August 26^th, 2013.

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