US OPEN DIARY
AFP, New York
Shikha Uberoi had met two-time US Open champion Venus Williams prior to their second round match on Thursday at the US Open. They were unable to board the same flight at a Florida airport when all planes were grounded the day of the September 11 terror attacks. Williams rented a car and drove Uberoi and her younger sister Neha home. Uberoi treated Williams to a traditional Indian meal. Williams beat Uberoi 7-5, 6-1 to advance to the third round. AGASSI MARCHES ON
American veteran Andre Agassi silenced any rumours that he would retire at the close of the US Open. After beating Germany's Florian Mayer on Thursday, the 34-year-old Agassi said: "Let this be a signal that I'm not retiring at the end of this tournament. Let that be a big flare." RUSSIAN WAVE STAYS STRONG
The rise of young female Russian players is reaching new heights. There are eight Russian seeded athletes in the 128-player women's draw at the US Open. Five of the top 10 ranked women players in the world are Russian and 15 are ranked in the top 100. "Perhaps never before have we seen such a meteoric rise from one group of players from the same country," Larry Scott, chief executive of the WTA Tour said.
| 
