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Mauresmo sets up clash vs. Serena

By TIMES WIRES
Published September 4, 2006

NEW YORK - Top seed Amelie Mauresmo rallied in the third set to defeat Mara Santangelo at the U.S. Open on a day when much of the discussion in the locker rooms was about the end of Andre Agassi's career.

Mauresmo, who has won the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year, was down a break in the final set before winning six straight games for a 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 victory at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Mauresmo advanced to face two-time former champion Serena Williams, who won 6-2, 6-4 over No. 16 Ana Ivanovic. Defending champion Roger Federer, the top men's seed, is also scheduled to play today.

The top-seeded American, No. 5 James Blake of Tampa, erased four set points in the second-set tiebreaker and beat 1998 French Open champion Carlos Moya 6-4, 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3. Andy Roddick, the ninth seed, beat Fernando Verdasco in five sets. Other winners included men's No. 1 seed Roger Federer and No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and former champions Lindsay Davenport and Marat Safin.

Roddick dropped his first sets of the tournament in beating Verdasco 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4-7), 6-2. Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open winner, lost in the first round last year.

Roddick, who knows he is trying to follow one American legend (Agassi) while being coached by another (Jimmy Connors), talked about the legacy he seeks to fulfill.

"When I was first coming up, it was Pete (Sampras) and Andre. Then it was Andre. Now it's time for us to step up," Roddick said. "That cushion isn't there. My training wheels are gone. I'm sure it's gonna be a little different. But it's an exciting prospect, as well."

Davenport, the 10th seed and 1998 champion, fought off two match points to reach the fourth round with a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) win over No. 22 Katarina Srebotnik.

Safin, the 2000 winner, defeated No. 4 seed David Nalbandian 6-3, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6). Safin, ranked No. 104 after a spate of injuries, advanced to the third round for the first time since reaching the semifinals in 2001.

Federer cruised past Vincent Spadea in straight sets.

Nadal beat Wesley Moodie 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-4) to continue his best U.S. Open run. He next faces Jiri Novak.

Nadal also took note of Agassi who, like the young Spaniard, demonstrated ability on a variety of surfaces.

"He's an icon for world tennis," Nadal said. "He meant so much because of his game, image and personality."

In other third-round women's matches, No. 5 Nadia Petrova became the highest seed to lose in the event, falling to Tatiana Golovin 7-5, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3.

No. 7 Patty Schnyder rallied to beat Marion Bartoli 0-6, 6-3, 6-3, and Dinara Safina and Anna Chakvetadze also made the fourth round.

Li Na dropped her first set, then won the next two against Mary Pierce 6-0, 6-0 to set up a meeting with Sharapova, who beat Elena Likhovtseva 6-3, 6-2. Virginie Razzano, who beat Martina Hingis in the second round, also advanced in straight sets.

On the men's side, No. 6 Tommy Robredo beat Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets to set up a meeting with Mikhail Youzhny, who defeated No. 11 David Ferrer 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4. Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 Open champion and No. 15 seed, also advanced.

[Last modified September 4, 2006, 05:28:30]