The following lists the shoe, apparel and racquet deals
of the four U.S. Open men semi-finalists (TW, 9/9 issue).
PLAYER SHOE & APPAREL RACQUET
Yevgeny Kafelnikov no deal Fischer Pro No. 1
Andre Agassi Nike Head Ti.Radical
Todd Martin Reebok Wilson Hyper Hammer
Cedric Pioline Nike Dunlop 200G
WE ARE FAMILY: Richard Williams' prediction of an all-
Williams Women's Final could become reality today, as his
two daughters play in today's semifinals. In Philadelphia,
Frank Fitzpatrick writes that today's women's semis "have
created much more buzz than" tomorrow's men's semis
(PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 9/10). Richard Williams was
interviewed this morning by NBC's Matt Lauer on the "Today"
show (NBC, 9/10). In DC, Rachel Alexander profiles Venus
and Serena in a front-page feature and writes that the
sisters have "attracted fans to tennis who have never
watched it before, from young black girls to grizzled white
men" (WASHINGTON POST, 9/10). No Limit Sports Managing Dir
Leland Hardy, who is one of three financial advisers for the
Williamses, on the sisters' U.S. Open success: "There
probably will be more calls from prospective corporations.
There is a strategic, methodical plan for the entertainment
of any economic opportunities. It's a lot more about sense
than dollars." On Long Island, Laura Price writes that the
Williams sisters "have been packaged tighter than anything
to come out of Procter & Gamble in shrink wrap" (NEWSDAY,
9/10). In N.Y., George Vecsey writes that the "sisters have
muted the controversy" brought on by their father Richard's
"clumsy intrusion of racial themes. ... Now it is all about
tangible pride and growing skills -- and the clatter of fans
following these luminous young women" (N.Y. TIMES, 9/10).