Super Saturday at US-Open!

By 

FOLKERT HESSE

Like always at the US-Open, the two men’s semi finals and the women’s final will be played on Saturday. No. 2 seed Kim Clijsters will take on no. 7 seed Vera Zwonarewa and the top 3 men’s seed, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic will be joined by no. 12 seed Mikahail Yuzhny. No US player on Super Saturday is a big disappointment for the New York fans, but everyone is hoping for the big final between Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal on Sunday.

Roger, Kim and Rafa at US-Open Exhibition

It would be the first meeting at the US-Open for the two great rivals and the first overall final for Nadal. On top of that he would have the great opportunity to be the second over all player in history to win 3 consecutive majors in one calendar year, after Rod Laver.

But before he can think of a final against Federer, he has to overcome the “Youzhny-hurdle” to get there. It sounds not too difficult, but it might be a difficult match for Rafa, because the fearless Russian, has nothing to lose in this match at all. And for Rafa it is the biggest opportunity to make some history. The match-up is a good one for him though, since his heavy top-spin balls is one of the reasons why he seems to dominate the single handed backhand-players at will and also holds a 14-7 record against Federer. And playing right-handed Youzhny today could be the perfect warm up for the possible Federer match tomorrow.

But Federer has a high road to ride himself, before he can go for a 6^th consecutive US-Open title on Sunday. Even though he defeated the same opponent in the semi’s of  the past two US-Open already, Djokovic is playing much stronger and solid at this year’s Open. He easily beat Fish and Monfils in 3 sets and looks very ready to give the big Fed a hard time today.

But no matter what, Nadal and Federer always have to be considered the heavy favorites when they play in the semi final of a Grand Slam. So, it will be exciting and fans will cheer for a dream final on Sunday, 5-time champion Roger against No. 1 Nadal.

On The women’s side there is a clear favorite, even though Vera Zwonarewa is this year’s Wimbledon finalist and the shooting star of 2010. But 2 time and defending champion Kim Clijsters played better and better in every one of her matches and defeated Sam Stosur and Venus Williams in great fashion. She has the experience and the form to beat the Russian in 2 sets and take her 3^rd US-Open crown and another step towards the no. 1 world ranking for the end of the year.

It will be a great day of tennis, even though many New Yorker will have to put some sad thought in the back of their had today, in order to enjoy only tennis on this September 11^th.

May it be a day of great tennis AND happiness!

F. HESSE

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Folkert Hesse Tennis

Kim Clijsters again in Final of US-Open

By 

FOLKERT HESSE

Kim Clijsters played a great match last night against Venus Williams to reach her 3^rd consecutive US-Open Final and will meet Vera Zwonarewa tonight to defend last years title.

Kim Clijsters

After a good match against Sam Stosur, she even raised her level to another gear to beat the only American left in the men’s or women’s draw of the tournament. After losing the first set 4:6 she was able to break Venus in her first service game of the second set. But she was not able to serve out the set and had to go to a tie-breaker to decide the set in her favor with 7:2. The third set was a very close one, as well, but when Venus Williams, also a two time US-Open champion like Clijsters, had to serve at 4:5 to stay in the match, the pressure was to much for Serenas big sister and she was broken by a determined Kim Clijsters. On match point, Clijsters not only showed great tennis, but also big celebration after winning it. It was a great match point and a great match from both players who had to deal with swirling winds throughout the whole match and handled it great.

Now Kim Clijsters has to be named the clear favorite against the up-coming Russian, who reached this year’s Wimbledon Final already and played also a good match against no. 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki to reach the US-Open final.

The match between the two blonds will take place after the men’s semi finals tonight at 7 p.m. .

F. HESSE

HESSE TENNIS TRAINING

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Folkert Hesse Tennis

Finally Sam Stosur!

BY


FOLKERT HESSE




I always thought that Sam Stosur has the techniques. The fitness and the dedication to her sport to make it to the top of the WTA-Tour, but she never even made it into the top 10, or was able to play consistent enough to go deep in the tournaments. But now it seems as if things are clicking for her and she makes a step to the next level.

To see her and Justine Henin in the finals of Stuttgart today is a real pleasure for me. Finally two players on the women’s tour who really care about the sport and not only about their looks, their new tennis dresses, or their career as an actor or model after their tennis career.

And two players, who unlike many other players on the WTA-tour, have all the shots in their game that the men have. A kick-serve, a slice, a drop shot, a volley and variety in their game…

This should be a great final if Sam will be able to keep her nerves cool and calm. A thing she is always trying very hard, but sometimes kept her from getting that extra focus and energy for the big points in a match.

But now it seems as if she knows how to pace herself through a match and how to get ready for the important phases in a match. This was the one thing that was missing in her game and if she can keep it up like this, she will be very hard to beat for many other players on the WTA-tour, who are not as fit and technically perfect as her.

As a Tennis coach I would like to see her more aggressive on her forehand, finishing even more points at the net (after good forehands) and mixing up her serve a bit more. She has a great kick-serve (probably the best on the women’s tour!), but it will be even more effective if it comes a bit more as a surprise for her opponents (especially on grass and hard-courts).

And if she pumps herself up a bit more after winning big points, she will be much more of a threat for the other players and I see her cracking the top 5 soon.

For a tennis coach like me, it is always great to have players like her, Justine Henin and Kim Clijsters on the tour, because they are great role-models for the juniors.

Let’s hope they will be the top 3 in women’s tennis soon… ;)

F. HESSE

HESSE TENNIS TRAINING

High Performance Training and Coaching for Top Juniors and Professionals

WWW.HESSETENNISTRAINING.COM

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Folkert Hesse Tennis