Archive for the 'Serena Williams' Category

Playing for the fourth consecutive day due to the luck of the draw, Serena Williams beat Shahar Peer to make it to the finals in Key Biscayne (7-6 (4), 6-1). If this woman continues her current pace, imagine the world records she might set. She began this year ranked in the 80s, mind you. And Peer is no lightweight, she moonlights as a corporal in the Israeli Army at nineteen years old! Williams takes on longtime rival Justine Henin. Henin fought her way to the finals at Key Biscayne for the first time, trouncing Anna Chakvetadze (6-2, 6-3).

Sharapova fans had some hope after Maria beat Venus Williams in third round play of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida. But sister Serena Williams made short work of Sharapova in the quarterfinal round, crushing the top seed in two quick sets (6-1, 6-1). Williams is seeded 13th; if she goes all the way this will be her fourth Key Biscayne title. Sharapova has yet to win a tournament this year.

And in men’s action right now in Key Biscayne, Cañas is kicking Federer’s (rhymes with Cañas) again as well. Cañas fought to win a tough first game 7-6. This may turn out to be the season for competitive men’s tennis, stay tuned.

It’s official–Australian Open champion Serena Williams will join her sister Venus on this year’s American Fed Cup team. The Williams sisters will play in the quarterfinals against Belgium scheduled for April.

Fed Cup Team Captain Zina Garrison announced to tennis fans today: “We are thrilled to have Serena back on the US Fed Cup team, especially after her tremendous victory at the Australian Open. The last time both Serena and Venus were on the court for a US Fed Cup team was 2003, so it will be an exciting time to see the sisters together again.”

Venus and Serena joined forces in 1999 to win the Fed Cup honors for the US; their combined Fed Cup record is an impressive 19-3. Garrison has until ten days prior to the quarterfinals to designate the two women that will complete the 2007 US Fed Cup tennis team.

It’s official, Serena Williams has defeated Maria Sharapova in a mere 63 minutes to win her third Australian Open singles title and eighth Grand Slam. Final score, 6-1, 6-2. To say that Serena spanked Sharapova would be a severe understatement. Sharapova could neither serve nor return the ball, Williams could do nothing but, therein lies the rub. Serena severely punished her opponent throughout the match, maintaining total control despite suffering a blow from the ball in the first set. Okay, time for me to begin reviewing those Gonzalez tapes.

Williams is up 2-0 in the second and possibly decisive set in the 2007 Australian Open women’s final. She just served at 122 mph, the fastest serve clocked during the championship. Though Williams did double fault at deuce in the last game, she is playing close to flawless, choreographing Sharapova’s every step for her. C’mon, MS, move those feet!!

We’re seeing big hitting on one side of the net anyway. Sharapova is literally running to keep up. Except for the shot where Maria actually hit Serena with the ball in the stomach… and the momentum shifted, albeit temporarily. Sharapova managed to win only a game in the first set, ending it 6-1.

Underdog Serena Williams is thoroughly dominating Maria Sharapova in the first set (3-0) winning the last game 40-love. Williams’s opening serve was 155 kmh, Sharapova’s was 181 kmh. Williams had the first ace, clocked at 197 kmh. Each of these women is on a 13 match win streak, one won’t make it to 14… Maria, get in that game, girl!!

As part of the excitement leading up to tonight’s 2007 Australian Open women’s finals match, let’s review the ladies’ stats thus far. Below we list the facts on both Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, as well as their opponents and scores so far in the tournament. If the opponent’s name appears in green you can link to a quick review of that particular match.

And now… in the first corner… 59 kilograms of Russia’s finest, we have…

MISS MARIA SHARAPOVA
Age: 19
Birthplace: Nyagan, Siberia
Height: 6′2″ or 1.88 meters
Weight: 130 pounds or 59 kilograms
Career Titles: 15
Current World Ranking: 2
Australian Open Draw: First seed

First Round: Camille Pin (France) 6-3, 4-6, 9-7
Second Round: Anastassia Rodionova (Russia) 6-0, 6-3
Third Round: Tathiana Garbin (Italy) 6-3, 6-1
Fourth Round: Vera Zvonareva (Russia) 7-5, 6-4
Quarterfinals: Anna Chakvetadze (Russia) 7-6, 7-5
Semifinals: Kim Clijsters (Belgium) 6-4, 6-2

And in the opposing corner… weighing in at 61 kilograms… from the United States of America…

MISS SERENA WILLIAMS
Age: 25
Birthplace: Saginaw, Michigan
Height: 5′10″ or 1.75 meters
Weight: 135 pounds or 61 kilograms
Career titles: 26
Current World Ranking: 81
Australian Open Draw: Unseeded

First Round: Mara Santangelo (Italy) 6-2 6-1
Second Round: Anne Kremer (Luxembourg) 7-6 6-2
Third Round: Nadia Petrova (Russia) 1-6 7-5 6-3
Fourth Round: Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 6-3 6-2
Quarterfinals: Shahar Peer (Israel) 3-6 6-2 8-6
Semifinals: Nicole Vaidisova (Czechoslovakia) 7-6 6-4

Attention, tennis fans! Tomorrow night Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams compete to win the year’s first Grand Slam victory, the Australian Open, in what looks to be one killer match.

One half of the draw worked out, Sharapova is the number one seed and expected to win her bracket. Sharapova demolished Clijsters (6-4, 6-2) to gain her spot in the finals. If she wins tomorrow evening, this will be her first Australian Open championship.

The other half of the draw couldn’t be further from predictions; Williams was not only unseeded entering the tournament, she was ranked 81st in the world. She is the first unseeded woman to make the Aussie Open finals in eight years. If Williams wins, she will be the first unseeded player to win the women’s singles at the Australian Open since 1978. Williams wore the crown here in both 2003 and 2005.

In Australian Open women’s semifinal play today, Serena Williams squared off against Nicole Vaidisova winning in two sets 7-6(5), 6-4. As improbable as it seemed two weeks ago, Williams only needs one more win to take the year’s first Grand Slam title. Prior to the tournament, she was ranked 81 in the world but is forecasted to return to the top 20 thanks to her slot in the finals.

Now playing are Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters to see who will face Ms. Williams in the final showdown Saturday and they are three games all in the first set. It sure looks to be an exciting year for women’s tennis.