Fab Four take aim at women’s top ranking
Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic lead a four-woman assault upon
the world number one ranking at the US Open, a fight that could come
down to Saturday night’s Grand Slam title showdown. Dinara Safina and
Elena Dementieva, each hoping to become the second Russian woman to take
the top spot after Maria Sharapova’s groundbreaking run in 2005, are
also in the hunt to replace already ousted Serbian Ana Ivanovic at the
top.
US fourth seed Williams, who dropped the Wimbledon final to sister
Venus in July, and Serbian second seed Jankovic, who held the top spot
for a week last month, can each take over as number one by advancing to
the semi-finals.
Safina, the youngest in the hunt at 22, or Dementieva would need to
reach Saturday’s final to unseat Ivanovic but either could face a
championship showdown for the top spot.
“Now it’s so much wide open to get to this No. 1 spot in the world,”
Safina said. “But we still have the Williams sisters. They’re still
dangerous. It’s changing a little bit, so many more young players coming
through.”
Williams, who faces a fourth-round match Monday night with French
wild card Severine Bremond, takes inspiration from 57 previous weeks
atop the rankings and the praise of her newest rivals for the top spot.
“It definitely makes me want to work harder and do better,” Williams
said. “I believe those statements. I always believe the match is on my
racquet. I think every time I lose is because of me, not because of the
other person.
“That’s pretty much dominance. I feel honored that they would say
that.”
Eight-time Grand Slam winner Williams, however, might have to face
her sister Venus in a quarter-final for the chance to grab the top spot
and that challenge has never been easy for her.
“We’re both playing well,” Serena Williams said. “She is always
difficult. When she is at her best she is really confident. I’m not
playing my best but that means I can do so much better.”
If Serena faces Jankovic or Dementieva in the final, the match would
decide which would take over the top ranking.
Safina, who meets German qualifier Anna-Lena Groenefeld on Monday,
would need to win the crown and have Jankovic not to reach the final to
be number one.
A title would make Dementieve number one no matter how anyone else
fare.
“It’s a dream for me to become number one but I’m not thinking about
that,” Dementieva said. “I just want to focus on this tournament. I know
if I improve my game I’m going to make it.”
For Jankovic, bouncing back from an injury-hampered season and having
a chance at her first Grand Slam crown are top priorities she counts
upon to push her to the top.
“I’ve been injured and I’m finally feeling good. I don’t have any
problems. I don’t want to ask for anything else,” she said.
“I’m happy I’m getting better each time. That’s the most important
thing. I think I’m on the right track.”
NEW YORK, Tuesday AFP |