WHAT a pity the clash of Venus Williams and Elena Bovina didn’t happen at the beginning of the Trilogy Challenge instead of almost at the end by which stage the crowd, who had paid a lot of money for the privilege of sitting in the Simmonscourt arena at the RDS, had become accustomed to one-sided matches favouring the Americans.

The dominance of Venus and Serena Williams on women’s tennis was further enhanced as both won their matches at the US Open last night, albeit in contrasting styles.

Jelena Dokic’s US Open campaign fizzled out with a distracted and dispirited day while rain disrupted the evening session of the third day’s play.

Jennifer Capriati was today hoping to continue the tennis adventure of a lifetime.

Anna Kournikova has been in tears - but not, she insisted, about the ending of her doubles partnership with Martina Hingis.