Coin's Run Comes To an End, but Her Future Is Brighter

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Aug. 30 -- Before facing countrywoman Amélie Mauresmo, French qualifier Julie Coin went through her regular pre-match routine, which includes playing a Mario Kart video game against her coach.

"I beat him just before going on the court," said Coin, who stunned No. 1 Ana Ivanovic earlier this week.

"So I'm like okay, this is a good day."

But on Saturday, Coin was without the powerful serve that gave her at least a puncher's chance against her more experienced foe. And Mauresmo took advantage, ending Coin's unlikely run with a tidy 6-4, 6-4 victory.

"Maybe I should have made her play more balls instead of trying to crack the ball," said Coin [pronounced "kweh"], who grew up in the same region of France as Mauresmo.

After the match, Coin said she was disappointed about the loss, though her U.S. Open appearance has already been a successful one, especially long term.

By reaching the third round Coin took home $46,000, eclipsing her total yearly earnings of little more than $36,000 heading into the tournament. Meantime, her world ranking of 188 is expected to jump more than 50 spots, making it easier for her to play more tour-level events.

"Right now, I'm just thinking about the loss," Coin said. "I'm not thinking about the rest. I wish I had won today.

"When you have a big win you want to do more and more."

Roddick Joins the Party

Andy Roddick has grown so comfortable playing under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium that he considers the setting a home-court advantage. But even Roddick, who has never shied from a rambunctious crowd, had to marvel at the atmosphere on Friday night.

"I looked up and there's girls on the big screen dancing on top of their tables in the suite and some guy and girl freak dancing in the corner," said Roddick, who beat Ernests Gulbis in four sets. "I was like 'this is great.' Might as well get a win while we're out here.

"It felt like a party in the stadium on switchovers."

Murray Digs Out of Hole

Sixth-seeded Andy Murray, the best British hope to win the tournament, survived a serious upset bid from Jurgen Melzer, 6-7 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, 6-3, in a match that lasted nearly four hours.

"I didn't think I was out of it, but I knew it was going to be tough to come back because he was playing really, really well," said Murray after rallying from two sets down.

But seventh-seeded David Nalbandian of Argentina was not as fortunate, falling in his third-round match to France's Gael Monfils, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. . . .

When asked about her popularity in Poland, Venus Williams offered: "I thought maybe my last name was Williams-owski or something. Really, my biggest fans were in Poland. I couldn't believe it." . . .

Saturday's day session attracted 37,380 fans to set a new single-session U.S. Open record.