It's 3 a.m. and I am still reflecting on the wonder that was the U.S. Open.  To truly recap all the memorable highlights (oh, how I enjoyed USA's coverage of Safin) would take a fortnight-plus-a-bonus-day itself!  So I'll write that looking-back tome in my head, and only focus on some highlights here that have me looking forward...


MAJOR GENERAL

Perennial powerhouses Spain and the U.S. each have two players in the top ten.  It was stunning that both countries lost their number two players -- David Ferrer and James Blake, respectively -- to unseeded opponents in the third round.  

But it attests to the depth of talent that two of their lower profile countrymen stepped in to reach the second week.  On strong merit.  Tommy Robredo notably beat Marat Safin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and then scrambled through five sets with Novak Djokovic before his run ended in that fourth round match.  And American Mardy Fish yanked three seeds, including Blake -- and one set from Rafael Nadal -- before his ouster in the quarterfinal.

This makes their upcoming Davis Cup semifinal even more enticing.  Though the US squad has already been named (Fish, who is getting married a few days after the tie, is not on it), it will be interesting to see Spain’s lineup.  As the 15th seed, Robredo was actually the number four Spaniard coming into the Open, behind Nadal, Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco.


PRIMARY TIME

Jelena Jankovic in yellow.  Serena Williams in red.  Cracking the ball across the blue expanse of court in Arthur Ashe Stadium.  It was as if a stage manager articulated the set and costumes, fitting right in with the USTA ad campaign, “It’s Showtime.”

And though the Serbian was in her first Grand Slam final -- the stakes not only the trophy, but also the number one ranking -- she showed no signs of stage fright.  The Women’s Final was a highly entertaining match, with the second set lasting one hour and seventeen minutes -- longer than any of Serena’s first four matches.

In contrast, only Jankovic’s first round against American Coco Vandeweghe (now Girls' Junior Champ) took less time than that 77-minute final set.  Though inconsistent play early on in the tournament kept the second seed on court longer than she’d have liked, she tidied things up for the final three rounds.  And on Sunday night, she proved that she belongs in Grand Slam finals... and the fans love to see her there.  Not just because of her play.  With her vivacity and interaction, she upstaged Serena’s star power. 
 



MORE TIME TO SHINE: HER FUTURE'S BRIGHTER THAN FOOTLIGHTS


THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF THINGS

Significant tennis news was not solely dialed on the Open.  On September 1, Neil Harman of the Times of London revealed that Russian Nikolay Davydenko will be cleared in the ATP match-fixing investigation that originally made headlines before last year’s U.S. Open.

Absolution of both guilt and the burden of his scandal-bait status was originally expected at the time of the French Open.  By then, it was already the longest-ever such inquiry in tennis & Davydenko was frequently referenced in stories of the Tim Donaghy-NBA gambling fix.  Let’s hope this time, it's truly resolved.

On the other hand, the ITF and the WTA efficiently spring-boarded to the good off the recent LPGA brouhaha, also revealed during the fortnight.  Both tennis organizations denied any need for an English-speaking requirement, reassuring its international community before any questions arose.


ONLY ADDING TO THE INTRIGUE

Two weeks ago I wrote, “I still believe Fed can win this one.”

Unlike many, I hadn’t written him off, but I was admittedly thinking narrow.  Though I always kept in mind that Fed’s relative slump is still a damn fine year -- and that his Olympic gold in doubles was meaningful -- I was hinging huge significance on this one man in this one tournament. 

But now that he has actually won his fifth U.S. Open in a row, I’m excited about the remainder...

Of the season.  The Big Three of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic had already qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai.  Since Andy Murray just joined them, the scrap for the other four spots is on!

Of the decade.  Maybe we'll be soon referring to The Big Four.  Today’s top four ATP players all made Grand Slam finals this year.  With the most wins, Nadal will have many points to defend in 2009.  A man familiar with that scenario, Federer proved that the king is not dead.  Australian Open champ Djokovic morphed into a bad boy.   Murray beefed up & has beaten all three men ranked above him.  And the only other Slam finalist, Tsonga, is finally coming back from an injury lay-off.

Of Fed’s resurrection.  Roger had to fight for this title.  He’s admitted to his struggles with movement, which Jim Courier attributes to lasting effects of Federer’s bout with mono.  The Swiss still never showed a consistent elevation, but he felt those moments of flow back at times.  And we witnessed it.

Of his career.  Sure, there are the records.  But more importantly, Federer displayed his relish for challenges and the difficult matches.  His ability to recover from great disappointment.  This year has been a different kind of test for him and adds to my respect for the man, the athlete.

He may not be world number one, but he’s still leading.