Is Ana Ivanovic tough enough to be the No. 1 player. After choking yesterday, that question will follow her into next year. AP

What is going on with Ana Ivanovic? She seemed in good spirits in her press conference -- which shocked me. I realize she's been dealing with a thumb injury that the doctors still aren't sure how to fix, and that has meant little match play. Any buzz you can let us in on? I have a theory -- look at Sampras, Serena, Sharapova, Andy, even Djokovic as examples: generally it takes some time for someone when they win their first major to get their games back together and start fighting consistently. In both Andy's and Ana's case, the first major was soon followed (if not immediately) with the No. 1 ranking. Maybe it's just part of the process. And obviously, as to any rule or theory, their are exceptions: Steffi Graf, Venus, Roger.
-- Dart, Atlanta, Ga.

I think that you can't discount her lack of preparation. She played virtually no tennis heading in, and even pulled out of the Olympics, on account of that thumb injury. Inasmuch as she needed to rationalize the loss, this would be an obvious source of consolation.

But I also wonder whether she isn't another version of Kim Clijsters. That is, she has all those qualities -- compassion, kindness, self-ware -- that serve one so well in life and so ill in tennis. This will sound harsh, but a No.1 player just cannot lose that match yesterday. Even with a sore finger, little match play coming in, a bad case of gout and wicked migraine, strep throat and double vision, a Grand Slam champ MUST find a way to beat a qualifier ranked No. 188. Especially in a Slam. You put the boot down and do what's necessary to win. Instead of meeting the moment, Ivanovic let it kick her in the backside. Even Julie Coin -- who deserves immense credit for serving that out --expressed surprise Ivanovic appeared so nervous.

For all the off-court training A.I. does, maybe more sessions ought to be devoted to mental toughness and developing more of a fighter's mentality. Again, I feel guilty even writing this, but I think she needs to find a way to be a tougher player if she's going to build on her success.

I noticed that Lindsay Davenport and Andy Roddick are headlining an upcoming night session -- for the second time in the tournament. Is playing at night considered a positive by the players (since it's cooler, and therefore less taxing to play in), or a negative (since it might screw up their sleep schedules)?
-- Stewart, South Orange, N.J.

I think it depends on the player. But yes, Americans tend to like the night session, though it can mean returning to their hotel in the a.m. and crashing the following morning. The Europeans prefer to play in the day when it's prime time at home and they can make their Nobu reservations.

Is there any sort of consensus as to who should be the No. 1 player in women's tennis right now? Each of the winners of the three majors so far haven't done much else. Jankovic has been the most consistent player in the majors and all other tournaments, but she hasn't won a big one yet. Hopefully the U.S. Open will provide some clarity.
-- Jason Englisbe, Mauldin, S.C.

The WTA got a quadruple whammy here. The No. 1 player at the start of the year (Justine Henin) retired. The obvious heir apparent (Maria Sharapova) is injured. The two other bona fide stars (Venus and Serena Williams) play too few WTA events to enable their ranking to reflect their merit. And the other contenders (Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic) are physically and mentally frail. With the exception of Serena winning -- which wouldn't be surprising -- I don't think we'll have clarity until 2009.

I am more of a casual fan, so maybe it was bad tennis etiquette. But there is no way Roddick should apologize for that serve to Santoro. Santoro's a pro. If you don't like it, then serve one right back at him. But don't whine and cry about it.
-- Mike, Arlington, Va.

I don't think Roddick should catch much heat for this. Pardon the pun. It's not as though this was the equivalent of a brushback pitch that was out of the strike zone. The serve landed in the court. No need to apologize for an ace. I think this raised eyebrows because of the context: two points from the end of a blowout match. And Roddick was candid and contrite, which fueled what little controversy there was. But I suggest we put this in the "much ado about nothing" column and move on.

Roland Garros and other clay court tournaments don't have the instant replay challenge system, because players can ask the chair ump to check the mark on the clay. But players aren't limited to the number of marks they can have checked, even though it's time consuming and sometimes results in a conference with the line judge. It's a good system. So here's my question: why the limit on instant replay challenges at the rest of the tournaments? Thanks.
-- Sharon, Jerusalem, Israel

Good point and a lot of others agree with you. If you have the technology to ensure accuracy, why not use it whenever possible? I think this betrays a lack of confidence in selling the sport itself, but USTA seems to like the "game show" component. "Will she challenge? If she's wrong, only two more chips to play!" But, truthfully, I like the system as it is. In last year's Davis Cup final, players were granted unlimited challenges and it hurt the rhythm of the matches.

Are you loving the fact that the Williams Sisters are facing the Mannings in the DSRL. I think it's great they have accepted the challenge of being two sport athletes. But seriously, I love this commercial.
-- John, Denton, Texas

I could be a crank and question why world-class athletes are endorsing nutritionally bankrupt products, especially when there is an obesity crisis in this country. But instead I will agree with you and admit that this is a clever campaign.

Paradorn Srichaphan, stick a fork in him?
-- Mike T., Alameda, Calif.

That's a bit harsh. But we're talking about a 29-year-old with a history of wrist injuries. Love to see him back, though.

I must say this: the 7 train is one of the BEST trains in nyc. In fact it was voted as number 2 in a recent citywide poll. That being said I'm not quite sure who exactly is being so malignant towards it...
-- Ivan H. New York

See: Rocker, John

Shots, Miscellany

• Today's winner in the "Random Encounters With a Tennis Pro" contest, sponsored by our friends at Prince:

Greg Beyer, Naugatuck, Conn.

Here's a random encounter (more like a random sighting) with a pro, that, when I look back on it, makes me simultaneously smile and tear up, for a couple of reasons.

I used to attend the Pilot Pen with a friend who is truly a one-of-kind guy. He taught Plumbing at the local technical high school, was a former black belt martial artist, coached the tennis and cross country teams, officiated high school and college hoops, played a little tennis, and ALWAYS had a laugh, smile, or wise-ass remark at the ready. In fact, it was rare that 10 minutes would pass when other fans wouldn't tell us to be quiet. He would make me laugh so hard I couldn't control myself, much to the dismay of other spectators. One of our routines was to sneak down to the pricey courtside seats while the ushers weren't looking. (No small task since either Paul was cracking wise or I was laughing.)

One year, we made it to the third row, about center court. Paul was in his glory, especially when he looked to our left at the seats near the players' entrance to the court. He pointed and practically exploded to me, "Look, we have better seats than Vitas Gerulaitis!" We spent the next couple of hours enjoying other peoples' seats and relishing our sighting of the "Lithuanian Lion."

Tennis Magazine this month has remembrances of Vitas that was a joy to read, but also sad since he passed away much, much too young. And it made me think of my friend, Paul, who was diagnosed in 2000 with ALS. He was, without question, the fittest 40-year-old I've ever met, not to mention an endless bundle of energy and fun. To see how this disease has ravaged his body is heartbreaking. Needless to say, we don't go to the Pilot Pen together anymore. Sorry to take up so much space, but the Vitas encounter with my buddy Paul never ceases to make me smile and tear up.

• The all-time combined Opening Day attendance record of 59,154 was set this year. Total attendance of the other three days has topped 60,000 and each of the first four night sessions have been sell-outs. Total attendance for the first four days of the tournament is 239,811. The USTA is projecting that the 2008 U.S. Open will set the all-time attendance record, topping last year's record of 715,587.

Rohan Weckert of Blackwood, South Australia, Australia writes: This has to be a record. At an ITF event in Tre Castagni, Italy a couple of weeks ago there were only four matches in the entire doubles event -- one of those a 6-0, 6-0 decision. The winners of the tournament (Emily Hewson from Australia and Pemra Ozgen from Turkey) only had to win one match to win the entire tournament.

• The former pro Dick Stockton and his wife Liz have launched a non-profit, The Blue Sky Foundation. Details to follow.

• Speaking of good deeds, James Blake presented a $10,000 Check to USTA Serves and the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program on Behalf of Evian Natural Spring Water.

• One of you suggested this long, lost sibling: The USA U.S. Open music and the theme to Dallas. Love that.