Serena Willaims and Mary Pierce out of Chase!

[tennis4you]

Both players have dropped out of the year end championships due to injury. Only the top 8 are invited ot this tournament. Now it looks like the top 10 will be there minus Serena and Mary. It would of good to see the Williams battle each other again, but it looks like Venus will have her hands full witht the rest of the competition!!! I am looking forward to a good tournament, this should be top quality!!! This is the only tournament where the women have to play 5 sets in the finals!!!

Scott Baker
http://www.tennis4you.com

[tennis4you]

Allow me to make a correction/update!!! Venus has just pulled out of the Chase as well!!! Venus Williams is sidelined by anemia. This tournament is dropping in quality FAST!!! There will still be some great players, but it is always great to see the top players compete!!!

Scott Baker
http://www.tennis4you.com

[coach tom]

The loss of both Williams definitely takes away some of the "legitimacy" of the championships, but it sure makes the overall quality of matches better. There will be more good matches because the 8 left standing are very competitive amongst themselves and no one has a real decisive advantage. Based on this development Hingis and Davenport should be in the final, with Seles and a pick one in the semi's with them.

The TV value just dropped out. But in my mind tennis fans will definitely benefit.

[tennis4you]

I am not sure about the quality. There are not too many other players that stretch Hingis and Davenport 3 long GREAT sets. I would love to see the top players grinding from the semi's through the finals with some match ups inbetween. I do not feel we will see the same quality of match as Davenport wipes people acreoss the court as we would if she was doing battle with a Williams. I will miss the serious competition.

Refresh my memory. Is the Chase round robin like the mens?

Scott Baker
http://www.tennis4you.com

[coach tom]

Scott, as far as I remember the Chase is single elimination. And its the top 16, not 8 as you previously mentioned in another post. Based on the Advanta, we could have a great final is its Hingis v. Davenport. Martina almost did it again, only losing her head in the early second set and getting too far behind to make the match close. 7-6, 6-4 wasn't too bad, and it did last two hours.

Look for every paper in the metro area to have a shot of Kournikova, both on and off the court. Probably shopping for boots or a fur, then losing in the first or second round as usual. Coverage on MSG will be good but poorly scheduled. I may zoom into the city myself and catch a match or two.

Look for Lindsay to bow out in the semi's. She'll face either Coetzer or Seles. I was looking at Lindsay's record this year and she did not have a lot of back to back tournament wins, and this will obviously be the toughest draw of the year. Based on the draw, Hingis and Kournikova (assuming Capriati loses to Anna in the first round) in one semi, and either Seles or Coetzer vs. Davenport in the other. Hingis v. Seles will be my pick, although I sure would love to see Miss Anna get her first Pro win here in this draw.

Go to http://www.thegarden.com/chasechamps for more info and up to date schedules.

[tennis4you]

Hmmm, I am doubting Anna is going to get to far in this tournament. I wouldn't be a bit suprised if Capriati beats her in the first round. However, Anna has bene playing some good tennis lately and making it deep into the tournaments, we will see. I haven't seen the Cahse for a while, I guess I was just assuming it was the top 8 like the men do.

As far as Davenport not winning too many back to back, I doubt it will be a facotr, I think she has a great chance at this tourament. If I recall correctly, Davenport and Hingis have met in the finals the last 2 or 3 years?

Best of luck to all of them!
Scott Baker
http://www.tennis4you.com

[Marc]

I guess since the Williams sisters won't be there, it is good in a way because we will be sure to have legit competition, whereas rumors circulated the sisters (and their father) planned who would win when they do play. Despite this, I hope Venus overcomes your illness.