7/09/2009

Player of the week: Serena Williams

Serena Williams captured her 3rd Wimbledon title and 11th Grand Slam title last week. Furthermore she also got her 9th Grand Slam doubles title along with her sister Venus.

Serena enjoyed an easy way to the quarter-finals defeating Silva, Groth, Vinci and Hantuchova in straight sets, dropping no more than 7 games on each match. Upcoming youngster and WTA #8 Victoria Azarenka was the first serious opponent she was facing, with the Belarusian looking revenge after having to retire in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open when she was leading Williams. And this time was easier for Serena, who defeated Azarenka by 6/2 6/3. Semifinal match against Elena Dementieva was a much tougher task. Dementieva had already defeated Williams in a few of their last meetings, including the Olympic Games semifinals last year. Both players are great fighters and the match was a real battle between them, with Serena winning by 8/6 in the third set after almost three hours and one match point saved.


In the final Serena had to face her sister Venus in the 8th Grand Slam final between them. Venus was the big favourite considering her great perfomance on grass with 5 Wimbledon titles, the last one last year defeating Serena in the final. And moreover considering her perfect way to the final, dropping no more than 5 games on each match, including an impressive 6/1 6/0 win over WTA #1 Dinara Safina in the semis, in contrast to the suffering of Serena with Dementieva. But maybe due this fact, Serena was more competitive and focused than sister Venus, and showing her best forehand took the match and the title by 7/6(3) and 6/2.

Although the official rankings still count Serena as #2, everyone around tennis know that, being the current title holder of US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon, she is the best player in the world.

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