US OPEN 2010: Victoria Azarenka collapses on court and is taken away in a wheelchair as sweltering temperatures in New York take their toll

By Mike Dickson in New York

Collapsing: Victoria Azarenka slumps to the ground at Flushing Meadows


The heatwave affecting America’s East Coast claimed its first casualty at the US Open on Wednesday when 10th seed Victoria Azarenka departed the tournament in a wheelchair after collapsing on court.

The 21-year-old from Belarus, one of many credible outside bets for the women’s title, keeled over when trailing Argentina’s Gisela Dulko 5-1 in their first round match as temperatures again came close to three figures.

For world No 11 Azarenka, the promise of cooler weather and a possible washout on Friday will come too late as she succumbed to a problem that has affected her before.

Last year, when playing Serena Williams at the Australian Open, she retired due to similar difficulties.


Receiving attention: A trainer rushed to assist Azarenka


Azarenka, who actually lives in the Arizona desert, had received some treatment for an arm problem following the third game, and she looked slightly uneasy after that
before falling to the floor shortly afterwards. She was taken to hospital for observation.


Azarenka is tended to by medical personnel after collapsing


There were no such issues for Ana Ivanovic, who dismissed 21st seed Zheng Jie 6-3, 6-0. Her two-year slump might be coming to an end.


Leaving court: Azarenka is taken off in a wheelchair



source: dailymail

US OPEN 2010: Elena Baltacha misses out on date with Kim Clijsters after second round defeat to Petra Kvitova

By Mike Dickson

Crashing out: Baltacha


Elena Baltacha missed out on an expected third round meeting with defending champion Kim Clijsters when she was sent packing from the US Open by Petra Kvitova.

The British number one lost 7-6, 6-2 to this year's surprise Wimbledon semi-finalist after running out of momentum following a desperately tight opener.

Beginning late in the afternoon when the most fierce heat had passed, Baltacha gave as good as she got against the flashy Czech lefthander.

Kvitova, who came from nowhere at the All England Club, had lost five straight first round since Wimbledon prior to this week, but there was no sign of any loss of confidence.

After early breaks were exchanged they moved towards a tiebreak, in which the world number 29 was always marginally ahead before clinching it 7-5. Baltacha could never quite match her power and decisive break came at 2-3 in the second set when she was broken to fifteen.

The consolation for the British number one is that she will end up either just inside or outside the top fifty when the next rankings are published, although it will frustrate her that she remains unable to go deep into a Grand Slam field.


source: dailymail