What can be gleaned from the past couple of rounds?

First of all, Bob and Mike Bryan are back and unfortunately had to take out 4 fellow Americans for their spot in the Semis. The match against Rajeev Ram and Bobby Reynolds went the distance 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-3 and it was tight against Fish and Isner as well. Expect good results from the multiple American teams this year! The Bryans play Dlouhy/Paes tonight.

Andy Roddick has been making 63 to 73% of his first serves and winning over 84% of those points. In early rounds, Andy would also win 60+% of his second serve points, but that dropped to 44% with Djokovic and that win ratio may be the key to tonight’s match. In addition, Andy’s net point win % will need to be closer to his early average of 70% vs. 54% against Djokovic. Amer Delic managed 68% success vs. Djokovic at the net which may hold some tips for Andy.

James Blake came up a few forehands short in his match vs. Tsonga. James powerful performance was validation that he need not heed Patrick McEnroe’s advice that James step back and play more defense on Tsonga’s. Each set had a single errant forehand that could have changed not only the outcome of the sets but obviously the match as Tsonga appeared to be stressed in the third set. Blake won 76% of his net attacks, but only made 53% of his first serves. The forehands I mentioned earlier accounted for the 1 out of 4 break points converted and Tsonga’s 3 of 6 break point conversions. Tsonga did win 84% of his first serve points, but only 46% of the second serve points. James Blake is in shape and mentally moving forward confidently. Watch for at least one title for James this year.

Safina appears to be a danger to Serena if Safina makes the final. Serena has been winning the majority of her net points and Safina’s pace could prevent her from making an aggressive approach shot. Serena experienced trouble form the fast paced Azarenka before her retirement. Serena’s net approaches vs. Azarenka failed 6 out of 11 attempts while Azarenka was successful 12 out of 15 attacks. In her last two matches, Serena has converted 10 of 21 break points. Both the fact that she converts ~50% and that she creates so many are promising for Serena. Especially given that Safina’s convertion rate has been south of 50%.

Unfortunately Huber & Black lost a rare third set tie-breaker to Sugiyama and Hantuchova in the QF, 7-6(0), 3-6, 6-7(10). The Williams will be on the court later today trying to reach the women’s doubles final. Lisa Raymond with Peschke lost in the third round to Dechy & Santangelo and lost (w/Matkowski) in the first round of mixed to Dlouhy & Benesova. Huber (w/Jamie Murray) had a win over Ferguson/Guccione, but lost also lost to Dechy (w/Ram) in mixed.

James Blake had an equally impressive 77% win ratio on his first serves. James won 68% of his 47 net attacks and converted an impressive 50% of break points while saving 4 of 5 break points. James was mentally tough during the critical points and this will be essential during his match with Tsonga. James over Andreev 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1.

Serena Williams won 61% of her 18 net attacks while winning 68% of her first serve points. Her 54% receiving win ratio assured a straight set victory over Shuai Peng 6-1, 6-4.

Mardy Fish will not be advancing getting back to the quarter finals of a major if he continues to lose more than 50% of his net attacks. Is Mardy still coming to net on cross court approach shots? Unfortunately Mardy only made 54% of his first serves and when he did get the first serve in, only won 60% of those points. But we really do not need to review more stats than his 27/45 (-18) winner to error ratio. This is either poor strategy or poor execution. Either way, Mardy is calling the airline.

Amer, on the other hand, won 68% of his net attacks and won 77% of his first serve points. His second serve win percentage dipped to 44% which I credit to Djokovic as that percentage had remained high in the early rounds. The key for Amer is the break down during break points which did occur in the early rounds as well. (1 of 9 vs. Djokovic) As with Mardy, the winner to error ratio hurt with 46/56 (-10) for Amer vs. 30/27 (+3) for Novak.

Serena defeated Meng Yuan from China 6-3, 6-2. Both players had excellent net point winning percentages and while Serena only made 64% of her first serves, her 87% 1st serve winning percentage was excellent. Serena lost 38% of her second serve points and was upside down on her winner to error ratio at 26 winners to 29 errors.

Unfortunately a -9 winner to error ratio contributed to Venus’ loss to the Spanish “Justine Henin” Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez. Serving at 60% and only wining 53% of second service made for a very long day for Venus.

Blake had 68% net points won and won 84% of 1st serve points. His +2 win/errors vs. -7 for De Chaunac helped in his straight set victory 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

Roddick’s 2nd serve avg 185K and had avg. 1st serve of 200K helping him win 83% of the 1st serve points. Both Roddick and Malisse had about 40 winners, but roddick had 27 unforced errors to Malisse’s 50.

Amer Delic had 153 points and Mathieu won 158 points. But Amer moves on to the third round. Amer only converted 3 of 11 break points, but it was just enough. Amer also had 1st serve % of 60% with 33 aces and 5 doubles. His return points won equaled 30% and he will certainly need that stat to rise in the future.

Fish defeated Bolelli 6-4, 6-1, 7-5 serving only 52% 1st serve % but is on to third round.