It’s Serena’s Show for Everyone to See

Serena Williams apparently is bent on a self-styled mission to save the U.S. Open from the back pages, boredom and a financial hit.

She went three for three Sunday. Williams saved a dreary day from a total wash, as she was the only player to record a victory at the rain-plagued National Tennis Center. The No. 1-seeded player was equal parts efficient and devastating, serving eight aces and hitting 35 winners, defeating No. 20 Daja Bedanova of the Czech Republic, 6-1, 6-1, in the fourth round.

Williams did not face a break point and dropped only five points on her serve, including one in the 18-minute first set.

Maybe the U.S. Tennis Assn. can give Williams a bonus for speedy work. The whopping 41 minutes she spent on Arthur Ashe Stadium counted as a day session, meaning that officials won’t have to give spectators a free ticket next year.

That hardly seems equitable. The USTA is said to be rethinking the policy, according to David Newman, managing director of marketing and communications. Wimbledon’s policy is a full refund for play less than an hour and a 50% refund for play more than an hour and less than two.

Play on the other courts started later, and last year’s finalist, Pete Sampras, found himself in big trouble in the first set against Greg Rusedski of Britain, facing a 5-2 deficit. Later, with Rusedski serving at 5-3, Sampras saved two set points when Rusedski netted a volley and double-faulted.

The rain started falling lightly just after Sampras broke in that game, and the match was suspended on the changeover when it was clear the court was too slippery to continue.

Daniela Hantuchova, the 11th-seeded player from Slovakia, was not as fortunate. She was leading No. 8 Justine Henin of Belgium, 6-1, and was in the third game of the second set when she went sprawling. Hantuchova went running for a wide forehand and slipped on the baseline. Her feet went out from under her and she tried to break her fall with her right hand and injured her thumb, giving Henin a 2-1 lead in the second.

Looking teary-eyed, the 19-year-old called for a trainer and put ice on the hand. Later, when the match was suspended, Henin was asked whether the court was slippery.

“It was a little bit,” Henin said.

One by one, matches were suspended. The USTA waited a few more hours to finally cancel the night session, a fourth-round match between No. 4 Lindsay Davenport and No. 13 Silvia Farina Elia of Italy, calling it off at about 9:45 (Eastern time).

So, after all the inaction, it was all about Serena, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion. She once joked about her “daily dose of me,” and it was certainly fitting Sunday.

Williams landed on the front page of the Daily News with this headline: “German pursued her around globe. NAB SERENA STALKER.” There was a shot of Williams hitting a backhand, wearing her slightly more demure pink top and black skirt and an insert picture of alleged stalker Albrecht Stromeyer of Germany.

Local police arrested him here over the weekend. This is his third incident with law enforcement authorities this year, including Wimbledon.

Here, he was charged with three misdemeanor counts of stalking. Bail was set at $3,000, and the 34-year-old from Frankfurt remains incarcerated at Rikers Island.

At Wimbledon, Serena appeared unaffected by the controversy. Although she has had a personal bodyguard since the European spring clay-court season, her coach and father, Richard, is increasingly concerned.

“She’s only 20 and she acts like it doesn’t bother her,” Richard Williams said. “This guy is getting braver and braver. He’s not going to stop. The NYPD did a marvelous job. But it wouldn’t surprise me if he came back.”

Tour officials said Serena would not answer questions about the issue but there was some confusion when she was asked about the threat. She said she was taking it seriously and could not relax.

Apparently Williams thought the question was about the level of competition, not the stalker.

“No, I definitely did not take that meaning,” Williams said in a statement released by the tour. “I was referring to the threat of the competition at this tournament. It’s amazing how words can get twisted around.”