By Jayita Belcourt
Serena Williams was in spectacular form last night as she left her French opponent, Alize Cornet, wondering what hit her. The 31 year old fired down six aces and broke the 200km (124 miles) barrier as she powered through to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International with a straight set victory 6-2, 6-2.
Despite suffering from sleep deprivation and insomnia since landing in Australia, the American showed no signs of slowing down on the court. Needing only an hour to complete her match, Williams was a dominating force proving why she is clearly the one to beat this tournament. Never under-estimating her opponent, Williams seemed to kick into another gear as she trailed 2-1 in the second set. It was like watching two gladiators fight it out, with Williams delivering a fatal blow for each incredible shot Cornet dished up.
“I feel there was definitely a turning point (in the second set). I tried to be more aggressive. Cornet is a really good player. She’s been in the top 15, so he has the potential to be a great and really tough opponent,†Williams said.
“I knew that I had to play really well.â€
And play well she did. The WTA world No.3 who finished off the 2012 season with an impressive 32 wins from her last 33 matches, is clearly finding her stride and feeling empowered. With titles at Wimbledon, the US Open and the London Olympics last year, Williams revealed that her new found love of life and passion for winning have helped propel her career.
“I feel invigorated. I just feel alive. I feel really alive,†Williams said.
“I love winning and I feel like as long as I’m able to win some matches and do well, I’m really motivated to keep going. I just love being out there. I think going through what I went through a couple of years ago really just made me realize that I get to do this and have fun.â€
Williams, fringing on the possibility of becoming the oldest women’s world number 1 if she can maintain her form, is aiming for a sixth Australian Open title. The other Grand Slams are also on the cards. If Williams can achieve this, she will become the first women since Steffi Graf in 1988 to win every major title in the same year.
“I definitely think I can (win the Grand Slam)â€, Williams said. “I think maybe whoever wins the Australian open will have the same thoughtâ€.
But for now, titles aside, Williams will need to prove her worth against fellow American Sloane Stephens. Williams will meet the 19 year old in a head to head match up in the quarter finals of the Brisbane International. Stephens, WTA ranked no. 38, is a big fan of Williams and it seems the feeling is mutual.
“I’m actually a Sloane Stephen’s fan. She’s a good player, really consistent. Serves well, runs really well, and she doesn’t miss. I guess that goes under consistency. So it’ll be a really good match for me, especially leading up for Melbourne. I think it’ll be a good match for her and I think it will be up in the air with who would win,†Williams said.
Can the young American stop Williams in her tracks? I’m betting on a close match, but with William’s current form and experience, I think she will prove too strong.
(Photo by Jayita Belcourt)
Serena "a fan" of next foe Stephens
8 comments
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Scoop Malinowski · January 2, 2013 at 9:56 am
Getting the sense that Serena is in absolute top form and fitness now. She sounds hungry and motivated. Venus looked spotty in her match at Hopman Cup for Mathilde Johansson.
Martin G · January 2, 2013 at 10:14 am
I’ve watched Stephens’s last match and her second serve is too weak for Serena. She will feast on that second serve. Stephens needs to keep her first serve percentage very high through whole match to have a chance. Tough to do … Just my 5 cents
Jayita · January 3, 2013 at 5:52 am
Great performance out there from the young american tonight up against Serena. Pretty much neck and neck for the first set, Serena only storming away at 4-4 to secure the first set 6-4. Strong performance by Sloane in the second set, firing away some great forehands… But Serena oh Serena. Very impressive play, great serving and coverage to take the match 6-4,6-3. Looking forward to seeing Sloane again, Serena mentioned in the post match interview that she thought Sloane would be “the best in the world” one day. Interesting prediction from the queen herself 🙂
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2013 at 8:29 am
Whoa, Sloane really gave it a good battle it seems. There’s no doubt she is on the verge of becoming a top player but we’ll see if she can take that important step — many players show early promise but just can’t take that step. I think Sloane has the character to do it though. Interesting that Serena obviously does too. Hope Serena’s stamp of approval does not work in a negative way on Sloane by adding too much pressure and expectation on her. Serena declaring Sloane as a future #1 will also put a target on her back so Sloane has to be ready for that. Like remember how Andy Murray said Caroline Garcia would be a top player after seeing her famous match with Sharpova a few years ago? It seems that endorsement by Murray had a reverse effect on Garcia who has not exactly shined since that loss to Maria. Some players are better coming up under the radar but some certain special players do not mind the extra pressure and expectation as nothing in the world will stop them from achieving what they aspire to. Looking forward to observing the replay of this match on Tennis Channel. THanks for the insights Jayita.
Dan Markowitz · January 3, 2013 at 11:42 am
Interesting, Jayita, that USA Today is reporting that Stephens said Serena’s “Come On’s” were disrespectful. Did you see any tension between the two players? Stephens said afterward, she said the remark to her coach, as she walked off court on a changeover as a joke.
Wow, that’s quite an endorsement from Serena. Imagine never having a black women’s champion until Venus and now having the prospect of there being three in the span of a couple of decades possibly with Stephens. She is listed as 5-8, so maybe she’s big enough. Of course, she’s got the athletic pedigree, as her father was a defensive back for the New England Patriots. And, she doesn’t turn 20 until March. Amazing that the four best US women prospects are now all women of color: McHale, Stephens, Keys and Townsend.
Who’s this girl Hampton who won a match in Australia?
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2013 at 12:05 pm
THis shows how much SLoane threatened Serena here. Serena only shows this kind of fire and emotion when she is in danger. Big credit to Sloane for forcing Serena to the limits.
I don’t find it “disrespectful” at all. Tennis at the highest most competitive levels, is a bloodbath. It’s kill or be killed. Sloane has quite a future if she can keep building, learning and sharpening and refining her competitive intensity. In order to be the best you have to get blood on your hands. Serena has no problems with that aspect of tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · January 3, 2013 at 12:06 pm
Here is a link to Serena’s “come on” s. Two minute clip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YtbnZ…e_gdata_player
Jayita · January 3, 2013 at 8:06 pm
Thanks for your comments Scoop & Dan. You know, I didn’t see too much tension out there between the two players, and I certainly didn’t feel that Serena’s “cmon’s” were of any disrespect to Sloane. I felt it was more to pump herself up, Sloane dished up some great shots. Serena obviously felt the pressure and she looked a little frustrated at times. Post match, Sloane said that her comments were more about easing tension than anything else…
“that’s something that him and I joke about a lot. It was kind of just to ease the tension a little bit. I mean, I don’t know what I looked like on the court, but I felt like I looked like a sour lemon, so I was like, Ah, I need to relax. No, it was just a joke. All fun”, said Sloane.