"Every person has different mentality, different character," he said. "Some people, they take it easy, and some people, they start to stress out a little bit. Then they are finding themselves in a position and they need to find a way out and they need somehow. Some other people, like Sampras, he was like a wall; nobody could break him. So that's why he maintains himself there without slipping. Not like Agassi, because he was maybe a little bit emotional, and he had some problems out of the court. So he needed some help. He slipped away and then he came back. But it's really, really tough. It's difficult for everybody to do that."

Fortunately for Safin, his psyche fits in well to the chaotic confines of New York. Unlike at the other three Slams, he can really get lost here and stroll through midtown unnoticed with a beret on his head looking like a mad artist in search of funky café.

He says he's having more fun on court because it's New York. Now if he can show a little more outward joy, he could be a factor until he retires.

"I have another four years,' he said. "Let's see what's gonna happen there. Maybe I can win one or two Grand Slams. Would be great - if Federer will not play there".

Cynthia Lum/WireImage.com Who's the young woman making the biggest impact? Jelena Jankovic.

NOTES FROM
ALL OVER
We caught of good whiff of Jelena Jankovic's potential this summer and now she's come on even stronger, out-thinking '04 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 to reach her first Slam quarter. She'll have her chance to avenge her loss to Elena Dementieva in the Carson final. Never shy, she says she has the ability to win the Open.

"I would like to join the [elite players] sometime soon," she said. "That's my goal but I don't want to put any pressure on myself. I'm really enjoying my tennis right now."

Rafael Nadal is now ready for primetime, but if Mikhail Youzhny zones the way he did against Tommy Robredo, the Spaniard could be in for a long match. Whomever picked Na Li against Maria Sharapova can now eat crow and also realize why Sharapova has taken her down three times this year: Li can't handle her serve. … Justine Henin-Hardenne will not blow out Lindsay Davenport on Ashe on Tuesday night, but the American isn't sure how to beat her and that's no way to go into a match. Trying gunning for JH-H's forehand early and often. … Andy Roddick is at the top of his game right now, but he can't be too pleased about having to possibly confront Lleyton Hewitt, who loves returning his serve. … Tati Golovin has been very impressive and won't go down to Sharapova easily. She loves the spotlight as much as Maria. … Sad fifth-set tiebreak collapse by Robby Ginepri against Tommy Haas. Say goodbye to the Top 20. … Make that two Slam quarterfinals for Dinara Safina this year, but she won't get past Amelie Mauresmo. For my report on the Frenchwoman's defeat of Serena, go to foxsports.com. But realize this: Regardless of what Serena is saying, whether she plays tournaments in Europe this fall is very much in question. She almost never has.

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