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U.S. Open notebook

By KEITH NIEBUHR, TIMES WIRES
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 7, 2002

Search for first Grand Slam title drives Roddick

NEW YORK -- Another Grand Slam event has passed for 20-year-old Andy Roddick, heralded as the next great American male, and he has yet to reach the semifinals of a major. Roddick, picked apart in Thursday's quarterfinal by 31-year-old Pete Sampras, his childhood idol, has played in eight Grand Slams. He reached the quarters here last year, but has struggled in other premier events.

"I have a lot to build on," Roddick said. "That's what keeps me optimistic on downer days. ... I just have to keep going and keep working."

Roddick played with a bruised left foot at the Open, but did not offer that as an excuse. He is No. 11 and has won two tournaments this year, five in his career.

TV TALK: Tickets for the women's semifinals listed an 11 a.m. start time, but the first match did not begin until 3:05 p.m. Blame CBS, which played a hand in changing the schedule. The marquee semifinal between former champions Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams started at 5:20 p.m., allowing it to move into the network's prime-time schedule.

Coincidence?

SETS IN THE CITY: Coverage of the Open will be broadcast on a giant video screen in Rockefeller Center today and Sunday. The area hosted a USA Tennis Rock & Rally concert/tennis event in May.

TOP JIMMY: Five-time Open champion Jimmy Connors, 50, left the ATP Tour in 1992 but still draws people to the TV. The New York Times reported a rerun of Connors' 1991 five-set match with Aaron Krickstein shown during last weekend's rain delay had the same overnight rating as top-seeded Lleyton Hewitt's live five-set win against Tampa's James Blake in the third round.

Connors returned to the Open this week for the first time in 10 years.

KING FOR A DAY: Billie Jean King, a four-time Open champion, was presented with the International Olympic Committee Women and Sport Trophy between Friday's women's semifinals. It is awarded for contributions made to developing, encouraging and strengthening participation in athletics, coaching, sports administration, leadership structures and the promotion of female journalists.

ODDS AND ENDS: Former major-league pitcher Bill Gullickson was here to watch 15-year-old daughter Carly play in the juniors event. ... Today's 7 p.m. exhibition match between legends John McEnroe and Boris Becker at Arthur Ashe Stadium will be streamed live on America Online's high speed broadband service. Information can be found at www.aol.com or www.USTA.com. ... The 22-year-old Blake, who trains at Saddlebrook, appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly on Thursday and gave pointers to the hosts.

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