Page 170 of Break Point
“Morning, kid!”
He’s wearing his usual match-day uniform: navy polo, khaki performance shorts, his lived-in Nikes, and his navy-blue Yankees cap he insists is not superstition. A pair of classic Ray-Bans hangs from his collar, and his tournament credential bounces against his chest as he walks in. Proud and ready for another day of kicking ass at Flushing Meadows.
CHAPTER 41
HEADLINES
SEPTEMBER 1, 2011
Another Straight-Set Statement from Freeman
wtatennis.com
Belén Freeman continued her commanding run at Flushing Meadows with a straight-set win over Sara Errani (6–2, 6–3) in the second round. Despite a brief rain delay on Wednesday that disrupted the day’s schedule, Freeman looked unfazed, adjusting with ease and keeping her unforced errors to a minimum. The 18-year-old now heads into the third round of the US Open with growing momentum.
SEPTEMBER 2, 2011
US Open Shock: Freeman Takes Down No. 3 Sharapova in Straight Sets
wtatennis.com
In the upset of the tournament, 18-year-old Belén Freeman stunned the tennis world with yet another straight-set (7–5, 6–4) victory over third-seeded Maria Sharapova in the third round. Calm under pressure and ruthless on return, Freeman dismantled Sharapova’s serve and silenced the doubters in front of a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I’m still shaking,” Freeman said in her on-court interview. “I’ve looked up to Maria my whole life. She kept me motivated growing up. This feels unreal.” Then she added with evident excitement, “I want to thank my team and my family, especially my mom, Addison Freeman, who’s here today. I’m so happy she got to see this. It means the world to me.”
SEPTEMBER 4, 2011
Freeman Reaches Quarterfinals with Commanding Win
wtatennis.com
Eighteen-year-old Belén Freeman continued her impressive run at the US Open, defeating 25th seed Maria Kirilenko (6–3, 6–2), advancing to the quarterfinals. Freeman showcased her aggressive baseline play and mental fortitude, breaking Kirilenko’s serve four times and saving all break points against her.
SEPTEMBER 8, 2011
Freeman Outlasts Petkovic, Returns to US Open Semifinals
wtatennis.com
Belén Freeman earned her place in the US Open semifinals with a hard-fought 7–6 (5), 6–4 win over world No. 10 Andrea Petkovic. The match was physical from the start, with Petkovic throwing everything at the 18-year-oldAmerican, but Freeman held her ground, staying patient through long rallies and stepping up when it mattered most.
“This match tested every part of me,” Freeman said post-match. “She came in swinging, and I just had to stay calm and keep finding my game.”
Freeman now advances to her second career semifinal in New York, where she’ll face Germany’s Angelique Kerber for a shot at the final. On the other side of the draw: world No. 2 Zoya Kruschenko, watching closely.
SEPTEMBER 9, 2011
Freeman Survives Marathon Semifinal to Reach US Open Final
wtatennis.com
In one of the most gripping matches of the tournament, 18-year-old Belén Freeman edged out German powerhouse Angelique Kerber 6–2, 6–7 (15-17), 6–3 to earn her spot in the US Open final. Freeman squandered five match points in the second-set tiebreak before finally closing out the decider after over two and a half hours of intense baseline rallies and nerves of steel. “I thought I was going to throw up,” she admitted post-match, laughing through tears. “But I kept thinking, one more point. Just one more.”
With the win, Freeman returns to the US Open final for the second time, this time at eighteen, becoming the youngest American to reach multiple finals since Serena Williams, who won her first title in 1999 and, in doing so, broke Addison Freeman’s long-standing record earned years prior.
She will now face world No. 2 Zoya Kruschenko in Sunday’s championship match. The two last met at this stage a year ago, when Kruschenko handed Freeman a swift defeat on a scorching afternoon at Arthur Ashe. Their clash promises to be one of the most anticipated finals in recent memory.
CHAPTER 42
