With the exception of Serena Williams, there was more fizzle than sizzle on the courts for the American women at the 2014 U.S. Open.
The pre-match publicity set high expectations for the American women. Unfortunately, they didn’t live up to the hype.
The best news was that twelve of the seventeen women advanced past the first round and Serena captured her 18th Grand Slam.
First round losers included Taylor Townsend, Lauren Davis, Alison Riske, Grace Min, and Danielle Collins.
The second round reduced the number of American women from twelve to four.
The losers included Vania King, Coco Vandeweghe, Shelby Rogers, Madison Keys, Christina McHale, C.C. Bellis, Sloane Stephens, and Madison Brengle. The losses by Keys and Stephens were particularly painful.
Varvara Lepchenko, Nicole Gibbs, and Venus Williams bowed out in the third round, with 2-1 records.
There were some bright spots. Overall, the American women won 21 matches and lost 16. (Serena Williams won seven of those matches).
Despite first round loses, Americans Taylor Townsend and Donald Young teamed up to reach the semifinals of the Mixed Doubles. Unfortunately, success in professional tennis is usually measured in Grand Slam singles wins and trophies.
C.C. Bellis charmed spectators with her tennis and innocence. Time will tell if she turns out to be a rising star or the next Melanie Oudin.
The 2014 U.S. Open was a test of not only the player’s tennis skills, but their physical strength and fitness level. Eugenie Bouchard and Peng Shuai can attest to that. Much of the event was played under the WTA Tour’s extreme heat rules, which presented an extra challenge to players in all brackets.
What is in store for the American women when the Williams sisters retire? At the moment the answer is simple. There is heir apparent among the younger American women.
Congratulations to Serena Williams on another great Grand Slam performance.