Journalism of Courage
Alisa kleybanova of Russia won her first Grand Slam match since being treated for cancer,beating 44th-ranked Monica Puig of Puerto Rico 6-4,3-6,7-5 Monday at the U.S. Open. After missing much of the last two seasons because of her illness,Kleybanova,ranked 363rd in the world,entered the main draw at Flushing Meadows thanks to the WTAs special ranking rule. After being diagnosed in the spring of 2011 with Hodgkins lymphoma,a form of blood cancer,Kleybanova underwent chemotherapy until December 2011. Everything is a little bit new for me right now,so Im just trying to feel everything as well as I can for the moment, she said.
Need game,not hug
After losing the first eight games on the trot to number-one ranked Serena Williams,Francesca Shiavone,in a brief moment of levity,walked behind a baseline and enveloped a ball boy in a full embrace. I dont need a hug in that moment, Schiavone joked afterward. I need a game. It was that kind of evening for the former Roland Garros champion and and twice was a U.S. Open quarterfinalist. Schiavone bowed out in the first round itself,losing 6-0,6-1.
