by Amy Lignor
The picture is intriguing to think about…the final match would be yet another that went down in history when it came to the Williams’ sisters. And the beginning of the U.S. Open did hold that rockin’ promise that a Williams’ ending could come true.
When you think about it, Serena and Venus have lost a total of only four games when going into first-round wins at the U.S. Open. And 
when both ladies walked away with their wins this time around a slight spark of excitement lit up within fans that this year could be a Williams’ Open.
It showed on the faces of the guests, even though the delays for them had been extremely long because of the heightened and well-tightened security that’s a large presence at the season’s final Grand Slam tournament in Flushing Meadows.
But it was an interesting day, to say the least. It was after these hopeful wins by the girls that Nadal (the men’s number two seed) took his bow of glory as he won his first game out. Even though the fans wanted to see the final for the day – the game that would have had Federer out on the court and back in action – they were denied this one moment in time because of the huge rain that halted Federer from giving the fans the final ‘featured’ (AKA: 5-Star) match.
Funnily enough, the rain suspended the game but it was suspended in a place where the U.S. Tennis Association announced plans just two weeks ago to build a retractable roof, being that it’s the Arthur Ashe tennis venue and is the largest in all the world. Seating 22,000 fans, they are hoping that the roof can be in place before 2016 comes around.
Not to worry, though, Federer (who comes in seeded seventh which is his lowest seeding ever) did come back and win his first-round match on Tuesday.
Now, when it comes to the Williams’ sisters it seems that one name keeps popping up (and one name only), that makes people believe there’s no possible way for the sisters to reign supreme. That name is, of course, second-seeded Victoria Azarenka from Belarus who’s scheduled to play tonight’s final match.
But even thought the Belarus’ eyes are shining on that prize, Serena Williams is still the women’s top seed and defending champion; a champion who seems as if she‘s gotten a second wind and refuses to leave N.Y. without garnering yet another U.S. Open title.
Her 6-0, 6-1 breezy victory against Francesca Schiavone seemed to show all fans that she was not there to mess around. At the ripe-old-age of 31, Serena has the resume that make others tremble on the hard court. After all, she’s a 16-time Grand Slam singles winner who won the U.S. Open in 1999, 2002 and 2008. The kicker here is that she beat Azarenka for the coveted title only a year ago. Is Azarenka going to turn the tables this year? Everyone hopes not.
Venus is not seeded this year, however her first time out had her beating (an upset to many), Number 12 seed, Kirsten Flipkens, proving that seeds and ratings really don’t have much to do with things if you’re simply better at the game and want it more than your opponent.
As always the sisters routed for each other. Serena was thrilled to see Venus win. She told reporters that her sister had been working hard so: “For her to come through was just awesome.”
Security is not the only foreboding thing to see this year. In fact, it was not only Venus who beat the odds. There have already been some failures that have come out of nowhere. Sloane Stephens (No. 15) for the Americans had to go through a third-set tiebreaker before getting her supposedly easy win. Another American, Madison Keys, said goodbye from the first round, although Nadal, did what everyone thought and came away with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory over yet another American, Ryan Harrison.
In the end, the long fan lines that stretch the boardwalk separating the tennis center from Mets’ Citi Field backed up because of massive security measures, really won’t matter at all. NOT if the Williams’ sisters pull a fast one on everybody and end up making this U.S. Open the ultimate thrill ride by rockin’ the court
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
Source: Baret News Wire