Passing Grades & Stinky Shoes

Just in time for the start of school in America, several players harboring grand slam title dreams faced big tests on Friday.



Serena Williams made her way past a game Vera Zvonareva 6-4/7-6, while Jelena Jankovic escaped the upset bid by 17-year old qualifier Alize Cornet in three sets, 4-6/6-2/6-3. But no one went through what JJ's fellow Fantastovic Novak Djokovic did.

Facing the almost Mr. Martina Hingis, Radek Stepanek, in the 2nd Round with the weight of heavy expectations on his back, Djokovic's day almost turned into a disaster.

After losing the 1st set tie-break, Djokovic had to scramble to avoid going down two sets. He won a 2nd set tie-break, but after the two swapped 7-5 sets the 5th set beckoned... and Djokovic's US Open chances teetered on the edge of oblivion as he fought off cramps against a former Top 10 player finally returning to form after injuries -- or was it the "Martina Curse?" -- kiboshed the Czech's 2006 season.

This is when the true champion that Djokovic wishes to be is supposed to emerge. And that's just what happened. With his back against the wall in the third tie-break of the match, the Serb stepped into the spotlight. It only took nine points for Djokovic to earn the seven that he needed to advance to the final 32 by a 6-7/7-6/5-7/7-5/7-6 score.

It's matches like this one that build the foundation of a superior career, and implant the image of victory not only in the player's mind but also in that of every fan who witnessed the moment of Djokovic's ultimate triumph over Stepanek. A star is being born this summer, and it's only a matter of how quickly and brightly he'll truly shine.

In the end, rather than a disaster, Djokovic may have turned Day 5 into his own personal launching pad at this US Open... even if it took 4:44 and, as he noted, shoes that were really stinky after it was over to do it.

Hey, no one said it was going to be all wine and roses.



**NOT QUITE LIKE ANDRE, BUT STILL...**
Tim Henman's four-set 7-6/2-6/7-5/6-4 loss to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Day 5 was the Englishman's final ATP tour match. He'll retire after playing Davis Cup for Great Britain at Wimbledon. Henman never accomplished the grand slam goals wished for oh-so-vociferously by all those fans who gathered on Henman Hill during every Wimbledon, but sometimes historical accomplishments aren't necessary for a player to be remembered. A gentleman to the end, Henman can hold his head up high as he exits stage left.

Tag, Andy... you're it.




All for Day 5.

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