(The first part of this post is inexplicably missing, so here is what I was able to recover.)

LAWRENCE, Kansas – In a rare moment, reporter Mary Joe Fernandez landed a live interview from James Blake‘s box in Arthur Ashe Stadium with older brother Thomas, who spoke candidly during the fifth set. As the younger Blake mounted a comeback, he failed to capitalize on three match points, and Tommy Haas answered by forcing a tiebreak.

Meanwhile, the trio of Dick Enberg, John McEnroe and Mary Carillo, who spent much of the afternoon in jocular exchange, flipped on the serious switch when the occasion called for it and provided excellent, meaningful commentary that viewers have come to expect; and coordinating producer Bob Mansbach, working his 27th U.S. Open, expertly selected relevant replays that director Bob Fishman interwove with dramatic live shots of the players, their families, coaches and fans in what Enberg declared the highlight of the two-week tournament.

Despite Blake succumbing to Haas (4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 7-6), his valiant efforts over the past week and the improvements in his play over the summer have provided both compelling television as well as hope for a resurgence of American men’s tennis. In the mean time, Andy Roddick is the lone American to advance to the men’s quarterfinals and the last to win a major title (2003 U.S. Open). With NFL season kicking off this week, Roddick may be CBS’ best hope to draw in viewers for the men’s final next Sunday. But, having both Venus and Serena Williams still alive on the women’s side should help, as long as one of them lasts until Friday.

Filed under: Opinion/Editorial, Sports TV