NEW YORK, NY, USA - One American had a tough end to her tournament while another's continued to pick up steam, as Day 3 of the US Open got underway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Wednesday.
Venus Williams, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and former No.1 who was set to take on No.22 seed Sabine Lisicki on Ashe Stadium, had to pull out of her home Grand Slam after being diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome.
"I'm really disappointed to have to withdraw from this year's US Open," Williams said in a statement. "I have been recently diagnosed with Sjögren's Syndrome, an autoimmune disease which is an ongoing medical condition that affects my energy level and causes fatigue and joint pain. I enjoyed playing my first match and wish I could continue but right now I am unable to. With proper medical management and treatment, I expect to be in full form once again."
Lisicki, who had won 23 of her last 27 matches but had lost her most recent meeting with Williams handily in Dubai last year, held a press conference to discuss the events. "I just found out a half hour ago or so. I was getting ready for my match and was in the locker room. That's when the referee told me.
"I saw Venus and heard she practiced as usual. I saw her in match clothes so was fully prepared and really looking forward to the match. I love those big matches and playing against Venus - we had two amazing matches the last two meetings. But that's tennis. It's unfortunate and I hope she will be fine quick.
"She's a tough girl and I think she'll come back. Serena and Venus are amazing players and it's nice to have them in the sport. It makes it more challenging."
Not too far away in the draw another American was pulling off the latest big upset of the tournament, as 19-year-old Christina McHale battled back from 5-3 down in the first set and picked off No.8 seed Marion Bartoli in straight sets, 76(2) 62, firing an ace on match point to win over on Grandstand court.
"I couldn't play any sloppy games. I had to compete really hard in the second set because I knew she was going to try even harder because she lost the first," McHale said. "When it went from 3-0 to 3-2 in the second set I was like, 'C'mon Christina, don't let it get back to 3-all.' That game was a big game."
McHale, the youngest player in the Top 100, scored her second Top 10 win of the summer, having beaten No.1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki in Cincinnati.
"I'm so excited to have beaten a player like Marion, especially here at the US Open," McHale commented. "Beating Wozniacki was a good win for me too, but I think to have this happen here at a Grand Slam is exciting for me."
McHale, who lives in New Jersey, trains at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and was asked about coming here as a kid. "I don't remember a particular match, but I just remember we'd all get here when the gates opened and we'd literally spend the whole day here, all of our friends, running from court to court, trying to get an autograph, a picture. It was so much fun for us."
