Today at U.S. Open

Will Wozniacki win?

Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York, is a venue that “has no mercy” say many of the tennis greats who have played there. This year, soaring temperatures and a hurricane have added to the stress.

On the first day of the U.S. Open, the final big tennis tournament of the 2010 season, temperatures reached almost 100 degrees. By the end of the week, Hurricane Earl hit and players were forced to battle their opponents in high winds of about 22 miles per hour.

“The wind was really tough for me,” said Beatrice Capra, 18, who was beaten by Maria Sharapova, the 2006 U.S. Open Women’s Champ.

"It was unfortunate she had to come out on Ashe for the first time and be in those kind of conditions," Sharapova said of Capra.

Whatever the conditions, tennis is not a game for those easily rattled by circumstances beyond their control—whether it be weather or noise or an intense opponent. Among those left standing at the end of this week were the toughest competitors: Roger Federer, Maria Sharipova, Rafael Nadal, and Venus Williams.

Federer is hoping to win his sixth title in seven years at the Open. Nadal has won eight major championships, but has yet to make it past the semifinals at Flushing Meadows. He has lost at that stage of the tournament each of the past two years.

Federer lost his number one ranking to Nadal this year, and has suffered from illness, including a lung infection. Nadal hopes this will be his year to become only the seventh man in tennis history with at least one title from each of the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open.

For tennis fans watching the action, keep an eye on Mardy Fish, the number 19 seed who is ranked 21st in the world. He is only one of three Americans left in the final 20 of the men’s draw.

Caroline Wozniacki has a chance to dethrone the world's No. 1 player, Serena Williams. First she has to beat 17th ranked Sharapova in the fourth round today.

“I’m playing to win,” Wozniaki said, “and it doesn’t really matter how. Just win and enjoy to be out there.”

—Joseph O'Connor

PHOTO: Among the tennis fans helping kick off the U.S. Open tournament in Queens, New York, recently was Disney star Demi Lovato, shown here with Kid Reporter Joseph O'Connor at the Arthur Ashe Kids Day. (Photo Courtesy Joseph O'Connor)

Comments

[KR: Miranda]

That must have been really fun!