man on women's sports

Who am I to overlook a fashion statement, such as was made by USA's Bethanie Mattek during her . . . loss . . . to Daniela Hantuchova on Day 3 (in the first photo, Daniela is crossing behind) (all photos Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque):

Disappointment for Sania Mirza fans as she just fell to 14th seeded Francesca Schiavone (pictured at top during her first round match); hey, that's why she was the No. 14 seed (and, if I'm not mistaken (still checking), the US Open follows the WTA rankings in this.) Sania can breathe for a few, then scoot over to court 8 for her doubles round 1, which is scheduled fourth as the second match is currently in progress. Still, good job, Sania, go for it!

Serena v Hantuchova will follow some clowns still funbling out there; I tell you, some people just don't know when it's time to take a seat for the real players.

Photos (in Order): Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Ed Betz; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque; Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque.

This is going to be one fantastic tour event; it's hard recounting day 3 looking at the matchups for day 4 this morning. But to get to round 2, round 1 was completed with these matches of note schedule of play - day 3: Myskina - Anastasia Myskina - out in the first round (4-6 2-6 to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus); Mauresmo advanced; Serena advanced; Maria Sharapova advanced; the goddess 4-6 6-1 6-3 over China's Shuai Peng (pictured below); the two Frenchwomen Mary Pierce and (the) Tatiana Golovin (pictured right above versus USA's Ashley Harkleroad) advanced; USA's Lisa Raymond out; China's Na Li advanced; (the) Daniela Hantuchova advanced; USA's Jamea Jackson advanced!; Greece's Daniilidou over USA's Shenay Perry (6-0 6-2, interesting); USA's Meghann Shaughnessy advanced; Likhovtseva 4-6 6-0 6-4 over China's Tiantian Sun; Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska over China's Zi Yan (catch your breath for this: 6-0 7-5); and, in a matchup of doubles queens, Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual over USA's Amy Frazier.

Now, in just a few hours No. 17 seeded (the) Daniela Hantuchova will test unseeded Serena's recovery; USA's Vania King will meet No. 2 seeded Justine Henin-Hardenne; USA's Meghann Shaughnessy will meet No.1 seeded Mauresmo; Na Li will face Daniilidou; really interesting matchup of Ai Sugiyama and Italy's Tathiana Garbin; and, Sania Mirza has scheduled a double's match on court 8 at 11:00 am and a single's match on court 11 also at 11:00 am (I think that is common, though.) At left, the goddess' round 2 is also scheduled for today.

Photo sources (from top): Yahoo! News/ REUTERS/Shannon Stapleton; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Kathy Willens; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Kathy Willens.

You may recall that I discussed day 1 US Open results using the official draw information supplied, but the schedule of play lists the results on Sanya Mirza's match versus Karolina Sprem on day 1 anyway. Ordinarily, this information is cross-linked, but the result did not show last night as I wrote. To make matters worse, Yahoo! News/Reuters (Eduardo Munoz photographer) did not post the picture at left until 12:22 AM this morning, and the picture did not actually appear until much later. Nonetheless, the match stats show that Sania got in 24 of her 52 serves on the first try when players can be more adventurous in ball placement, and had 0 double faults, though only 1 ace. Down at the bottom of the same draw No. 2 seed Justine Henin-Hardenne showed hardly better stats in her game versus Italy's Maria Elena Camerin, except in one stat: winners.

Also, the data re: USA's Meilen Tu's just totally embarrassing 6-1 6-1 thrashing at the hand of Finland's Emma Laine did not appear in the draw information, all the well for more sensitive intellects. Enjoyable photo source

Somebody must have known that Day 2 was going to be a total washout Rain washes out Day 2 at U.S. Open, and left something interesting for me to talk about

Sania drops out of top 50: India's Sania Mirza actually now ranks three steps below her tomorrow's first round US Open opponent Croatia's Karolina Sprem in the WTA women's singles ranking list released today. Yes, but Sania falls out of top-50 for critical elucidation. Right, Sania at the WTA tournament event fashion show in Montreal on August 13, 2006. Photo source Yahoo! News/Chris Wattie VIA REUTERS (CANADA)

First, Venus scratched. (Hey! Before clicking on any links, make sure your pop-up blocker is on. If you don't have a pop-up blocker, email your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for one (or a suggestion for one) and don't click on any links.)

Play commenced in the bottom half of the draw: notably in the third quarter of the draw: Kutzy required three sets to dispatch Sandra Kloesel of Germany; USA's Lauren Albanese advanced; China's Jie Zheng advanced; Argentina's Gisela Dulko went the distance with Serbia and Montenegro's Jelena Jankovic; Chanda Rubin fell in this the first round in just two sets to Nicole Vaidisova who, as you may recall, defeated Venus in the fourth round at Roland Garros; USA's Jill Craybus advanced easily; and, USA's Laura Granville was unavailing against Russia's no serving but tournament No. 4 ranking Elena Dementieva, right.

In the fourth quarter of the draw: Patty Schnyder 6-1 6-2 over Anna Smashnova (ouch); Conchita Martinez Granados falls in the first round; injured Lindsey Davenport moved on; want to keep an eye on advancing Ai Sugiyama, who defeated the goddess at Wimbledon; Italy's Tathiana Garbin (not to be confused with France's Tatiana Golovin ) 6-3 6-1 over China's Meng Yuan; an impressive win for USA's Vania King (pictured below) 6-3 6-2 over Australia's Alicia Molik; and, No. 2 seed Justine Henin-Hardenne hardly sighed.

Photo sources: Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Ed Betz; Yahoo! News/AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt.

seen this weekend: Tamara Moore. From the WNBA 2005 transactions: April 24: The Phoenix Mercury have signed Tamara Moore. May 20: The Phoenix Mercury waived Tamara Moore (and Rita Williams.) May 31: The New York Liberty signed Tamara Moore. July 1: The New York Liberty signed Catherine Kraayeveld and waived Tamara Moore. It's been like that for Tamara in the WNBA, though she had in fact been with Phoenix after her trade from Detroit in '03 and through the '04 season. I so believe a business management case study must be made of Joe Bryant's really incredibly effective management style with the Sparks this year, of which Tamara was a notable beneficiary: she started 33 or 34 games for the team with the second best regular season record in the league. Most importantly, she was the high scorer for LA in Saturday's game at Anaheim.

seen this weekend: Christi Thomas . Seen but not heard. Was 0 for 0 in 20 minutes in Saturday's loss. Food for thought Sparks (we know Christi's heart, skill level and value: that's why I see this as a team function.)

seen this weekend: Nicole Powell. In fact, you can see this picture on LA's homepage at this minute; and quite appropriately, it was Nicole who ended LA's season prematurely. At the beginning of the third quarter, the (Sacramento) TV (webcast) announcer squealed at a Nicole miss: "Where is Nicole tonight?" At that 9:25 mark, Nicole had 0 points. Nicole heard the announcer: with LA leading 43 to 34, Nicole scored her first goal with 7:49 remaining in the third. She went on to score 17 points to bring Sac within 1 with 4:16 remaining in the game. She provided the assist to Kara Lawson's critical 3 pointer with 48 seconds left. This was Thurday's game at Sac. At the end of the webcast when the announcers said that it would be sent back to Cappy Poindexter and her crew in the NBA-TV studio, it was instead held at Arco Arena as Kara Lawson adjured the crowd to make it down to Anaheim for game 2. Anaheim? My mind did an incredible rewind as my best efforts had been unavailing to get pregame commentary by webcast either audio or video: for some time, all I could think was "LA, you knew you would not be playing in Staples Center for game 2, and you let this one slip away!" Nicole, Kara and Sac will contend in the finals.

seen this weekend: Ruth Riley. Heard but not seen: I heard a commercial during last night's radio webcast where midway through somebody with a really, really sweet voice said, I think, "This is Ruth Riley." Nah, this is Ruth Riley (pictured center with Tina Thompson, No. 7), and you really aren't going to be able to recognize the creature that arrives at the finals wearing "00" for the Shock. Double click photo for a larger view. Photo copyright the author 2004, 2006

If you double click the pictures, you can get a larger view (up to 800 x 533 pixels if you know how to search for the enlarge anchor on (roll the cursor over) the bottom right of the new jpeg that pops up in Internet Explorer browsers.) Above, Liberty after-warmup huddle. Below, I heard regarding a recent WNBA final that it was the first sellout. Oh? Tell me about it fifth row from the ceiling. (Whisper: but all the seats in the Compaq Center had great views: "intimate" was the term most after employed.)

Above, the Comets t-shirt and cap ceremony. Below, it rained confetti for an hour, at least. Bottom, that was the score.

All photos copyright the author 1997, 2000, 2006

Even with the draw in the US Open tennis tournament announced just hours ago, it is quiet in the world of women's sports outside the WNBA playoffs. One might, however, empathize in this story of great interest to more than a billion people in the world: US Open: Sania faces Sprem in 1st round.

Although qualifying continues today and tomorrow making the pairings not 100% complete at this point, there are some items of note in the women's singles draw: how the US players are paired, and how the increasingly formidable Chinese players are positioned. Do not be surprised if, before this decade ends, the Chinese accomplish in women's tennis what the Japanese are doing in figure skating. Note that there are four sections (quarters, actually) to the draw as here referenced (Venus and Kutzy are in "Section" 3.)

Now, back to the WNBA playoffs (tonight's battles will be webcast, as well!)

The final standings:

In the East (in order)

Connecticut
Detroit
Indiana
Washington
New York
Charlotte
Chicago

In the West (in order)

Los Angeles
Sacramento
Houston
Seattle
Phoenix
San Antonio
Minnesota

In a post back on August 5, I said that all indications were that LA would prevail over Sac in the Western conference finals, and Conn over Detroit in the East. Conn would take it all. Do I still hold to that? Yes. (I'm not always sure what Doris Burke is saying- she is so way technical-, but I think she weighed the indications similarly in Saturday's ABC Conn-Detroit broadcast.)

After getting that cup of coffee at Jim Cullum's Landing on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, returning to watch my taping of the Conn-Detroit Wide World of Sports battle, and reviewing all the WNBA happenings during my mini-vacation, I can make my final recast of the '06 regular season.

11th scores

Indiana at Connecticut: indications off: Indiana was motivated to gain, if at all possible, the advantages of the number 2 playoff spot, and Conn was looking more to renewing itself for the playoffs.

Detroit at Washington: indications off: Washington shocked, playing for consistency.

Charlotte at New York: indications on: Ticketmaster and I are not on good terms, because I had to interrupt my viewing of the webcast to work with them on getting me my ticket for the Pho-SA game. When finally assured that the ticket had been emailed, I returned to the webcast only to hear the announcers say "It's nice to see Allison Feaster returning to form. That's her third make for the night." Comment reserved. Fortunately, the webcast has been archived, and it's one of those I'll be reviewing often as long as it is available.

12th scores

Seattle at Houston: indications on: Seattle knows Houston can play rough, and they weren't risking injury. Ironically, even though Houston was the final team to clinch, they already owned the tie-breaker with Seattle, thrusting Houston into the third playoff position and against Sacramento in the first round, not their preferred placement.

Chicago at Charlotte: indications on. It says a lot for the maturity of the league that an expansion team starts at the bottom for a while.

Phoenix at San Antonio: indications on: by the time I arrived in SA from the Houston game, Phoenix was well aware that Houston had finally clinched, and that there would be no post-season this year for them as with SA. Still, the crowd, I thought, appreciated the game played. And Ticketmaster redeemed itself with the seat actually selected: I sat right next to injured Sandora Irvin on the Phoenix bench (actually, there was a small walk space between us, but I'm telling this!)

13th score

Washington at New York: indications off: hey, I couldn'a said it better: Liberty end year red-hot as playoff-bound Mystics chill.

Connecticut at Detroit: indications off: Detroit had something to play for- the second seed in the Eastern conference playoffs, which they earned-, Conn had nothing.

Chicago at Indiana: indications off: the Sky ended on a win. The webcast is archived, so I'll check it out later.

Sacramento at Phoenix: indications on: Phoenix knows its capabilities now. The only question is getting . . . the players . . . to retain that understanding and grow it during the offseason.

Minnesota at Los Angeles: indications on: Minnesota has the talent: who can cause it to be realized in the game is quite intriguing. Don't want to say anything good about LA, just . . ..

11th

Indiana at Connecticut: Conn.

Detroit at Washington: Detroit.

Charlotte at New York: NY. webcast scheduled

12th

Seattle at Houston: Houston. on ABC, 1:00 pm CDT.

Chicago at Charlotte: Charlotte.

Phoenix at San Antonio: Phoenix.

13th

Washington at New York: Wash.

Connecticut at Detroit: Conn. On ABC, 12:30 pm CDT.

Chicago at Indiana: Indiana. webcast scheduled

Sacramento at Phoenix: Phoenix. webcast scheduled

Minnesota at Los Angeles: LA. webcast scheduled

Aug 8th scores

Seattle at Detroit: indications off: Seattle won, but Detroit is going to see that performance again before the season ends. The Mystics are right: consistency now is key.

San Antonio at Washington: indications on: Washington striving for consistency.

Houston at Charlotte: indications on: Charlotte is playing because they are professionals, and they are playing now like the professionals they are.

Indiana at New York: indications on: NY was taken seriously.

Connecticut at Chicago: indications on: Conn.

Minnesota at Phoenix: indications off, as Phoenix finally played at the level everyone has been anticipating.

Aug 9th scores

Sacramento at Los Angeles: indications on, kinda' with that big "if LA . . .."

Connecticut at Indiana: indications on: Indiana must learn to stop personalizing the teams and start professionalizing the league.

Aug 10th scores

Seattle at San Antonio: indications off: wrong, Seattle had clinched prior to this game and DNPed (did not play) Lauren Jackson. LaToya Thomas' 6th person's 16 points was Dan Hughes' game plan from season's start.

Phoenix at Houston: indications on: I was there: you heard it right 111 - 110 in triple overtime. I was able with my own eyes to see Diana Taurasi lead her team in scoring in the sense of helping the other members of her team have confidence in their scoring capabilities in the tight. Also fortunately for the Mercury, Kelly Miller did not play out of her mind, but, to the contrary, played very intelligently at the point through all three OT periods.

Chicago at Detroit: indications on: Detroit.

Minnesota at Sacramento: indications off: Sac didn't relax.

Let me think here for a second: Am I going to defer prognostifications ('prognostications' just doesn't do it justice) at this critical final juncture in the season?

Aug 8th

Seattle at Detroit: Seattle could ask Detroit to drop this game; otherwise, not the Juggernaut. webcast scheduled

San Antonio at Washington: Washington, sees consistency as its ticket in the playoffs. webcast scheduled

Houston at Charlotte: Houston could ask Charlotte to drop this game; otherwise, not the hommies.

Indiana at New York: Indiana, the WNBA has learned to take this NY team seriously. webcast scheduled

Connecticut at Chicago: Conn. webcast scheduled

Minnesota at Phoenix: Minn, Phoenix is going to underrate what they are going to encounter.

Aug 9th

Sacramento at Los Angeles: the Sparks, if, now after their 4 - 4 road tour, they realize that they no longer have the best record in the WNBA. (Conn has some tough games in the stretch, too.)

Connecticut at Indiana: Conn.

Aug 10th

Seattle at San Antonio: Seattle, still under pressure to make the playoffs.

Phoenix at Houston: Phoenix, a playoff spot could be determined here.

Chicago at Detroit: Detroit, no contest. webcast scheduled

Minnesota at Sacramento: I see Minn holding it together against Sac.

WNBA Standings

WNBA Schedule and Score

August 4th scores

Houston at Minnesota: indications off: as Houston prevailed in OT.

Detroit at Chicago: indications on: Detroit came out serious about the game this time.

August 5th scores

Chicago at New York: indications on: NY again even without Becky Hammon. At left, NY's Iciss Tillis and Chicago's Candice Dupree. Photo source

San Antonio at Indiana: indications on: Tan White's 6th player's 18 points did not hurt Indiana's cause at all. Still, SA was happy to have Shyra Ely and LaToya Thomas back on the floor.

Los Angeles at Phoenix: indications off: way off: Phoenix just kicked buck.

Washington at Sacramento: indications on: Sac, but only in double overtime and only after Alana Beard fouled out in the second overtime period with Chasity Melvin and Coco Miller out in the first overtime period. Outstanding professional basketball play! (I am not going to try that "gold star" thing again.)

Charlotte at Seattle: indications on: Phoenix is breathing down Seattle and Houston's backs. Any slipups now, and the playoff picture will change.

August 6th scores

Connecticut at Houston: indications on.

New York at Detroit: indications on: Detroit took NY seriously this time.

San Antonio at Minnesota: indications on: Minn's win eliminates SA from playoff contention for '06, but SA's, like Minnesota's, solid fan base is not through with this season. Below, from left, Katie Feenstra, Adrian Williams and Biba. Photo source

Photo sources: Yahoo! News/REUTERS/Darren Staples; Yahoo! News/AFP/Carl de Souza

The regular season continues, but this is what I see at this moment as the ultimate outcome of this WNBA season (and I reserve the right to change as the season continues):

LA and Sacramento will vie for the Western conference post-season title. Sac is unable to reclaim the inner cohesiveness that last year drew out that extra something that didn't exist before but that was needed then in the clutch.

Connecticut and Detroit will duke it out in the East. Detroit's weak links: 1. Deanna Nolan's lack of maturity. No matter how many points Deanna scores, it's going to be her impact on the team dynamics during the series that is going to be most deleterious to the team's singular objective. 2. Ruth Riley is not into the season. Spectacular performance during the series will be unavailing if the team does not anticipate and expect it. Conn's Katie Douglas has been really flaky in the pinch: this will be a first for her if she comes through this time. Why Connecticut in this series: team dynamics.

In the finals, LA's just plain silliness (lack of seriousness) about the game just won't cut it here. Connecticut is the player of the moment.

August 4th

Houston at Minnesota: Minn, as they repeat superb execution from last night.

Detroit at Chicago: Detroit, will be taking all of their opponents seriously for the rest of the season, a lesson learned in NY last night. webcast scheduled

August 5th

Chicago at New York: NY, even with Becky Hammon. webcast scheduled

San Antonio at Indiana: Indiana, SA has given up. webcast scheduled

Los Angeles at Phoenix: LA, they cannot stand another loss (they're losing home court advantage to Conn), and will battle here against fierce opposition.

Washington at Sacramento: Sac, finally back in form!

Charlotte at Seattle: sorry, Charlotte, Seattle has a playoff berth not to brick.

August 6th

Connecticut at Houston: Conn, never happy with a loss to Houston for any reason at any time.

New York at Detroit: Detroit, wouldn't want to be NY. webcast scheduled

San Antonio at Minnesota: Minn lacked only minimal control in execution. I think they've got it now. Minn over the anties. webcast scheduled

Aug 1st scores

Los Angeles at Washington: indications off: Wash came out to play.

Phoenix at Chicago: indications on: Phoenix.

Seattle at Minnesota: indications on: Minn was no match.

New York at Connecticut: indications on: Conn.

Charlotte at San Antonio: indications on: Charlotte.

Indiana at Detroit: indications on: Detroit.

Houston at Sacramento: indications on: Sac over Thompson-less Houston (giving hommies the benefit of the doubt, though all of the playoff contenders are vying to avoid Sac in the first round.)

August 3rd scores

Los Angeles at Connecticut: no indications: I'm leaving this alone.

Sacramento at San Antonio: indications on: and Sac clinches.

Minnesota at Indiana: indications on: a fine performance by both teams. If Indiana played like that consistently, they'd have to be taken more seriously (Indiana, ha.)

Detroit at New York: indications off: Becky Hammon didn't play, and NY won.

Charlotte at Phoenix: indications on: though I'm glad I didn't fly out for Phoenix' 112 points.

Washington at Seattle: indications on: Ann Donovan.

Aug 1st

Los Angeles at Washington: LA, had Wash not clinched . . .. Alas, no Mystic hustle tonight.

Phoenix at Chicago: Phoenix (without additional comment.) webcast scheduled

Seattle at Minnesota: Seattle, Minn has looked horribly of late (their play, only their play.)

New York at Connecticut: Conn, honing their skills. webcast scheduled

Charlotte at San Antonio: Hmm, Charlotte? (I cannot believe I am not already at (the place with the musical instruments all over the window) on the Riverwalk with a cup of their Ethiopian special blend coffee.)

Indiana at Detroit: Detroit, but this is going to be quite a contest as each tries to get its bluff in on the other.

Houston at Sacramento: hopefully, hommies will have Tina Thompson with them so it won't be that much of a blowout by Sac.

Aug 3rd

Los Angeles at Connecticut: Oooooooo (as in "Oh my!"); I wouldn't touch this one for anything less than a Trump apprenticeship (after I learn to spell it (don't ask).)

Sacramento at San Antonio: all funniness (Spellcheck supplied) aside, SA over Sac.

Minnesota at Indiana: Indiana, Minn has looked horribly of late.

Detroit at New York: interesting, NY may have Becky Hammon back: there goes their chance against Detroit. webcast scheduled

Charlotte at Phoenix: (I'd love to fly out to Phoenix for this one) homefield advantage.

Washington at Seattle: Ann Donovan.