Week Ahead

What to watch and watch for

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ORIGINAL LAYOUT

SI Pick of theWeek
MONDAY 8/28

Open Season

Nothing like ahearty helping of humble pie to get you ready for a big tennis tournament. Atleast that's what Roger Federer (above) is hoping. In his final tune-up beforethe U.S. Open, top-ranked Federer lost in straight sets to unheralded19-year-old Andy Murray in Mason, Ohio--his first nonfinal loss in 14 months.Federer will still be the smart pick to win in Flushing Meadows (before losinghe had a 55-match winning streak in North America, but the sentimental favoritewill be Andre Agassi), the two-time Open champ who will call it quits after thetournament. (Through Sept. 10.) Check listings

THURSDAY 8/24

U.S. AmateurChampionship It might not be Tiger-Phil, but a Jonathan-Webb showdown would bepretty intense nonetheless. The top-ranked amateur in the country, JonathanMoore, led Oklahoma State to the national championship, while Webb Simpson ofWake Forest is No. 3. They'll lead the 312-golfer field in Chaska, Minn.Thursday and Friday Golf Channel 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday NBC 4 p.m.

FRIDAY 8/25

In Theaters:Invincible Dreams do come true--no kidding. Just ask Vince Papale. In 1976 the30-year-old down-on-his-luck bartender made the Eagles as a wide receiver afterattending an open tryout. Mark Wahlberg stars as Papale, but keep an eye on thesideline: The real Papale has a role as an Eagles assistant coach.

Major LeagueLacrosse playoffs What do Steve Nash and Joe Thornton have in common withBoston Cannons attackman Conor Gill? All three are the top playmakers in theirrespective sports. Gill (below) led the MLL in assists for the fourth straightseason this year and was the league's scoring champ as well. The Cannons takeon Philadelphia in the second semifinal; top-seeded Denver faces San Franciscoin the opener. Semifinals webcast (www.budlight.com) 9 p.m.; Final Sunday ESPN25 p.m.

SATURDAY 8/26

High SchoolFootball: Glades Central (Fla.) at Byrnes (S.C.) College football is stillweeks away and, really, who wants to watch NFL preseason games? So your bestbet for gridiron action this weekend is this prep showdown. Both Byrnes (rankedNo. 17 by SI) and Glades Central (No. 20) feature prominent D-I recruits,including Byrnes's Clemson-bound quarterback, Willy Korn (left), who threw for4,164 yards and 53 touchdowns last season. ESPN noon

SUNDAY 8/27

Women's soccer,China at United States Thanks to the stellar play of Ma Xiaoxu, the MVP of therecent Asian Cup, China (which will host the 2007 Women's World Cup) moved upto eighth in the FIFA world rankings--despite having just 1,000 registeredwomen's players in the country. Drawing from a much deeper pool (about 7million girls and women play), the No. 2--ranked U.S. will look for its fifthstraight win in this friendly in Bridgeview, Ill. ESPN2 1 p.m.

PHOTO

SIMON BRUTY

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MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE

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WALT DISNEY PICTURES/BUENA VISTA PICTURES

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JOHN BYRUM/THE SPARTANBURG HERALD-JOURNAL