By Elaine Donnelly
Extending sexual misconduct to combat units
Maria Sharapova leaned back and pumped her arms. She ripped her elbows back and forth, screaming after her victory. Four pumps, five — she rocked forward — six pumps. More. Sharapova had just defeated Venus Williams 6-1, 6-3 Friday, her first victory over the seven-time major winner in a Grand Slam. This was a match clearly worth celebrating, but it was if Sharapova had won the Australian Open title eight days early.
The latest example of John Isner's knack for playing marathon matches — and, lately, losing them — was a 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 third-round exit at the U.S. Open against Philipp Kohlschreiber that ended at 2:26 a.m. Monday, tying the tournament record for latest finish.
The challenge system is proving, well, challenging for the top men at the Australian Open.
As if two days of rain hadn't caused enough problems at the U.S. Open, Andy Roddick's match against David Ferrer was halted because of a problem with the Louis Armstrong Stadium court after they played two games Thursday.
"They are there to make something, not just to call 15-all or 15-30 all the match," he said. "That's the only thing I'm unhappy about."
