This Week in Sports :: August 25-29, 2008

Aug 28, 2008

Choke job! Ana Ivanovic became the first top seeded woman since 1968 to lose in the second round of the US Open! See what else happened this week!

Ivanovic Upset at US Open

On Thursday, 188th ranked Julie Coin shocked the world when she defeated top seed Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round of the US Open. The loss was one of the biggest upsets in US Open history and a top seed hasn't lost that early since the tournament was started in 1968. In fairness, Ana is coming off a thumb injury. Julie on the other hand, failed to qualify for the other Grand Slams and even contemplated giving up the sport recently. Next up for French player in the third round is No. 32 Amelie Mauresmo, who beat Kaia Kanepi 2-6, 6-4, 6-0. On the men's side, Rafael Nadal advanced to the third round but it didn't come easily. Nadal struggled against both his first two round opponents, Bjorn Phau of Germany and American, Ryler De Heart. Both Phau and De Heart held their own and are names worth remembering for the future!

Pacquiao to Fight De La Hoya

Filipino fighting sensation Manny Pacquiao is considered the best pound for pound boxer in the world today. Soon he will face one of the best pound for pound fighters of all time in Oscar De La Hoya. On December 6, 2008 at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Pacquiao will fight De La Hoya in the welterweight class of 147 pounds. This weight will be a step down for De La Hoya while it will be a step up for Manny who is currently the lightweight champion at 135 pounds. Oscar hasn't boxed a match since May 2007, where he lost a close decision to Floyd Mayweather. The Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya fight is expected to be one of the highest grossing fights in recent years.

NL West Up For Grabs

If a team from the NL West is going to play in the postseason, they will have to win their division. Right now, it is down the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks to claim the top spot. While Arizona holds a three game lead on L.A., both teams have been on a decline lately. The Diamondbacks have dropped four straight while the Dodgers have lost seven straight. This weekend, both teams have a chance to redeem themselves as they face each other this weekend at Arizona's Chase Field. This will be a good test for the Dodgers who have been terrible on the road with a 26-39 record.

Notes Around the Sports World

Michael Phelps has already started to cash in from his incredible performance at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. He has already got a $1.6 million advance for his book.

The Connecticut Sun have been gaining momentum as of late as they have won four straight games. They have taken over first place of the WNBA Eastern Conference over Detroit, who have dropped four straight.

Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs injured his ankle while playing for Argentina in the Olympics. He will have surgery this week and is expected to miss the next six weeks.

New England Patriots' fans hope the preseason is not an indication of things to come. The Super Bowl favorite Patriots went 0-4 in the preseason.

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This Week in Sports :: July 29-Aug. 1, 2008