Three Things To Watch: Day 4
James Blake, who's approaching the end of his career at 30 years old, played in some of the most memorable matches in U.S. Open histor. (AM)
SI.com's daily menu of must-see happenings at the U.S. Open (all times Eastern).
• No. 22 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez vs. Patty Schnyder (Court 11, 11 a.m.): Martinez Sanchez was a trendy pick at the French Open after a charmed title run in Rome, but returned to relative anonymity following a first-round flameout. Her stylish, varied game is a rarity among today's power-baseliners on the women's tour: a wildly imaginative blend of slices, drop shots and angles. Schnyder is a two-time quarterfinalist here -- in 1998 and '08 -- and plays a style nearly as unorthodox as Martinez Sanchez. It's a throwback special certain to please old-school fans.
• No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko vs. Richard Gasquet (Grandstand, second match): The stylistic clash between the austere Davydenko's offensive-baseline game and the flashy Gasquet's all-court versatility should make for comeplling theater. Davydenko has failed to sustain the momentum from last year's strong second half -- which culminated with shock victories over Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro at the ATP World Tour Finals -- but could get back on track with a victory over a Top 20-caliber opponent.
• Peter Polansky vs. James Blake (Louis Armstrong Stadium, 11 a.m.): It could be the last time Blake, a longtime fan favorite at the U.S. Open who's reportedly contemplating retirement, plays as a favorite in Flushing Meadows. The 30-year old native of Fairfield, Conn., caught a major break when Polansky knocked out No. 30-seeded Juan Monaco in the opening round. Win and a likely third-round date with Novak Djokovic looms. Expect a rowdy, partisan atmosphere in Armstrong.
Others to watch: Sabine Lasicki vs. No. 7 Vera Zvonareva (Arthur Ashe Stadium, 11 a.m.); Kei Nishikori vs. No. 11 Marin Cilic (Court 13, 11 a.m.); No. 4 Jelena Jankovic vs. Mirjana Lucic (Louis Armstrong Stadium, third match); No. 5 Robin Soderling vs. Taylor Dent (Grandstand, third match); Bethanie Mattek-Sands vs. Andrea Petkovic (Grandstand, fourth match).
SI.com's daily menu of must-see happenings at the U.S. Open (all times Eastern).
• No. 22 Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez vs. Patty Schnyder (Court 11, 11 a.m.): Martinez Sanchez was a trendy pick at the French Open after a charmed title run in Rome, but returned to relative anonymity following a first-round flameout. Her stylish, varied game is a rarity among today's power-baseliners on the women's tour: a wildly imaginative blend of slices, drop shots and angles. Schnyder is a two-time quarterfinalist here -- in 1998 and '08 -- and plays a style nearly as unorthodox as Martinez Sanchez. It's a throwback special certain to please old-school fans.
• No. 6 Nikolay Davydenko vs. Richard Gasquet (Grandstand, second match): The stylistic clash between the austere Davydenko's offensive-baseline game and the flashy Gasquet's all-court versatility should make for comeplling theater. Davydenko has failed to sustain the momentum from last year's strong second half -- which culminated with shock victories over Roger Federer and Juan Martin del POtro at the ATP World Tour Finals -- and could get back on t
• Peter Polansky vs. James Blake (Louis Armstrong Stadium, 11 a.m.): It could be the last time Blake, a longtime fan favorite at the U.S. Open who's reportedly contemplaing retirement, plays as a favorite in Flushing Meadows. The 30-year old native of Fairfield, Conn.,) caught a major break when Polansky knocked out No. 30-seeded Juan Monaco in the opening round. Win and a likely third-round date with Novak Djokovic looms
Others to watch: Kei Nishikori vs. No. 11 Marin Cilic (Court 13, 11 a.m.); No. 4 Jelena Jankovic vs. Mirjana Lucic (Louis Armstrong Stadium, third match); No. 5 Robin Soderling vs. Taylor Dent (Grandstand, third match):
