Because of her colorful, anti-establishment on-court wardrobe, most tennis fans know Bethanie Mattek-Sands by name.
Now, the 30-year-old Mattek-Sands, playing in her 13th U.S. Open, is one match away from everyone in tennis knowing her by game.
Mattek-Sands is the latest player standing in the way of Serena Williams’ quest to capture the calendar-year Grand Slam.
Mattek-Sands and Williams play a third-round U.S. Open match Friday night, two days after Williams looked tentative and nervous early in her 7-6 (5), 6-3 second-round win over Kiki Bertens.
Opponents standing in the way of history are always compelling stories in sports. When American Pharoah was trying to complete the Triple Crown in June just down the Cross Island Parkway from the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Belmont, the entire Belmont Stakes field was on a collective mission to make sure the special horse did not make history.
The field at the Belmont failed, just as Vitalia Diatchenko did in the first round against Williams (losing 6-0, 2-0 before retiring) and just like Bertens did.
When history is on the cusp of being made, sometimes even the opposing players get caught up in the potential accomplishment. But those players don’t want to be footnotes to that history. No one wants to make the last out in a pitcher’s perfect game.
A win over Williams Friday would be the biggest of Mattek-Sands’ singles career considering she’s never even reached the quarterfinal of a Grand Slam event.
As she should, Mattek-Sands relishes the chance to make people know her by game rather than by name because of her avant-garde appearance.
“That’s a fun role to play … mess up the draw a little bit,’’ Mattek-Sands said of being Wiliams’ spoiler. “Right now she’s on a mission to get a record and I’m here playing my game. I think it’s going to be a battle out there.’’
That’s what Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou expects.
“She’s a really good player with a big game, a quite unusual game because she comes to net a lot,’’ Mouratoglou said. “So it will be a tough match. That’s why Serena has to be ready … [and] she will be.’’
Mattek-Sands did not back down from her reputation as an aggressive player.
“That’s a game style that I’ve played with since I’ve been little,’’ she said. “That’s how I’m going to go out there and play. I know how Serena’s going to come. Obviously, Serena’s pretty aggressive. She’s going to rip some balls, hit some big serves. She plays big. That’s obviously going to be the clash there. I’m excited for it.’’
Fellow players sounded envious of the opportunity Mattek-Sands has in front of her Friday night.
“Playing Serena Williams at the U.S. Open on Arthur Ashe … life doesn’t get better,’’ Canadian star Eugenie Bouchard said Thursday. “I’m sure she will enjoy it, and I’m sure it will be a great match.’’
Bouchard is so caught up by what Williams is attempting to accomplish, she said, “I want her do it. It’s unbelievable what she’s trying to do, so even if I play her I almost want her to win. I think she’s the best player ever, so if I can help her achieve [the Grand Slam] I will help her. If I can’t win the U.S. Open, I hope it’s Serena.’’
Germany’s Angelique Kerber, the No. 11 seed who disposed of Karen Knapp in straight sets on Thursday, said, “I think she has nothing to lose, Mattek-Sands. It will not be easy for Mattek-Sands, but it will be a tough match also for Serena. Of course, the pressure is there. She feels it because everyone is speaking about this.“But let’s see if she can do this. It’s still a long way, still five matches to go, and let’s see if somebody can stop her or not.’’
Mattek-Sands, who has never advanced further than the third round of a U.S. Open in 12 previous tries, is a decorated doubles player, having won the Australian Open and French Open this year with partner Lucie Safarova. Mattek-Sands, too, is fresh off demolishing fellow American Coco Vandeweghe 6-2, 6-1 on Wednesday.
Williams and Mattek-Sands have met twice — a 6-3, 6-1 Williams rout in 2006 in Cincinnati and a 6-3, 6-3 breeze in 2008 at Wimbledon.
“I have nothing to lose,’’ Mattek-Sands said.
The player with nothing to lose is always the most dangerous opponent. That makes Friday night at Arthur Ashe Sradium must-see tennis — not for what eccentric outfit Mattek-Sands might break out for the special occasion, but to see whether Williams can march one step closer to history.