Wimbledon - Crushed stars expect all-Williams final
Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 08:26:00 2009
When Serena Williams screamed out in pain and crumpled in a heap on Centre Court, Victoria Azarenka could have been forgiven if she started to dream of an unlikely escape from her Wimbledon nightmare.
Azarenka (pictued) was being given a brutal lesson in grasscourt tennis from Serena during their Wimbledon quarter-final, and an injury seemed the only possible way the American second seed could be stopped.
Of course Azarenka wouldn't have wished Serena ill but when it comes to beating one of the Williams sisters in their current mood, it seems best to pray for divine intervention.
Azarenka, the eighth seed, is widely regarded as one of the best hopes to challenge the Williams' dominance, but the Belarussian was made to look distinctly second rate as Serena recovered from her slip to claim a ruthless 6-2 6-3 victory.
Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, the 11th seed, fared even worse against defending champion Venus.
Radwanska won just three games as she was crushed 6-1 6-2 by the five-time Wimbledon winner.
Top seed Dinara Safina, who faces Venus in the semi-finals, and fourth seed Elena Dementieva, Serena's last four opponent, must be fearing the worst already.
On grass at least Azarenka believes the Russian pair will find it hard to stop Venus and two-time champion Serena making it an all-Williams final here for the fourth time.
"You never know what could happen, but I'm pretty sure they're playing very good tennis and they deserve to play in the final and win the tournament," Azarenka said.
"I think they have a lot of more experience because in the top 10 there are more young girls than has been before. They just have a lot of experience. They know how to handle themselves in all of the situations.
"I haven't watched Venus play. But from the results, you can see that she's been winning pretty comfortably.
"Serena played amazing tennis. She was striking the ball so hard and so good. She didn't give me many opportunities. She really showed the unbeatable Serena.
"She's a real complete player. She has every shot and she's very strong mentally.
"She fights until the last moment. I think she just has the whole package, that's what makes her a great champion."
Radwanska admitted playing a Williams sister in top form is completely different to facing any other player on the tour.
"If I'm playing against Serena and Venus when they're playing such a good tennis it's different than other opponents," she said.
"It's very hard to play Venus if she has a very good day. If she's playing good everything is in, so it's just so hard to do anything on the court.
"I saw that Serena's also playing good. It can be the same final as last year for sure."
While the dominance of Venus and Serena has led many to claim the WTA tour is basically a two-woman show, Azarenka insists the other top ten players shouldn't be dismissed just because they often struggle against the sisters.
"Nobody's perfect. Serena still has her up and downs," Azarenka said. "They are just showing a little bit more of an aggressive game.
"But you cannot really say that they are so good and the other ones not so good. I don't think that's fair."
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Comment 8 - 27 of 27
cameron I swear there was someone on here caling themselves the geordie prince earlier and I thought you would still be reeling from their utter cheek in trying to usurp your title! let me buy you a pint of tetleys now as i know you are going to have a miserable night when the results are in and your non-favourites win yet again. fair dos for somebody else to win if they can match the talent and the very hard work the sisters have put in. i would have thought someone from an area that produced bobby robson, waddle and gazza would appreciate that. still you don't sound exactly closed minded like those other horrible contributors.
kemykal
or how about pillock!
I agree.. While some may find it bored to watch The American Final. Imagine The Russians Final. With the way how Safina play during this tournament, the empire will definitely commit suicide due to boredom..
OF COS I WANT THE WILLIAMS FINAL. They will definitely put on a great battle. Though both are sisters they each hunger for every Slam title...
And kuddos to Vic.. Very well said about the williams even after loosing in the Quart. She has alot of potential and will be one day compared to the Williams. She has much respect to the winner. Thats a true sportman!
Let me help. How about "OUTPLAYED" or "HUMILIATED" or "OUTCLASSED" or "DISMANTLED" or "TAUGHT A LESSON" or simply "BEATEN" ?????
Ask Simon Reed ???
Why do words like 'crushed' have to be used!
People might not like Williams v Williams, but Russian vs Russian is usually much much worse - particularly the grand slam finals and the recent Olympic final!
I agree with Yiannis,who says that Dementieva has a chance .Any player who turns up in a tennis game has a chance .I just wonder if Yiannis is being sympathetic , a supporter of Yiannis or a neutral.Experience and current form count alot.Wimbledon is made for Federer and the Williams to dominate.I personally don't like it .But that's the way it is presently.Ron
Radwanska didn't have a chance she could lose 0:6,0:6 ,Vika at least could put some fight in it....especially in the second set.
One Russian one American in the Final,no more dude's alike finals,it's booooring.
Jimmy.lemongrass(11)..... that's a good point you made. It is debatable but Venus in particular would have had more Grand Slams if she was the only Williams on the WTA tour. However, if The Williams Sisters total focus was on tennis then i'm sure their combined Grand Slam total would have been more.
wimbledon is racist
Azaraneka simply has admitted the fact that the williams are unbeatable.
i respect her for that attitude.
And i Believe she`ll grow up into an unbeatable tennis icon. Casue i felt it when she was playinng serena here . and back there in Aussi open .
For Safina she should at least be un jonest And to admitt that Serena may be technically and historically better than her.
Watching Venus and Serena is an event in itself.
It should be called Williams-don.
Dr, feel good, really?
those sisters scream wayyy too much. it's annoying. and serena is a drama queen.
I think Dementieva is playing very well and is being underestimated...she has a real chance I say
More grunts and groans, how boring. There should be a prize for the loudest scream. How about some real tennis.
Time to consign women's tennis to where it belongs, the outside courts with half the prize money.
TJ
Serena (or Venus) would beat Steffi Graf's Grand slam total if they didn't have to compete against each other. Imagine if Steffi had a sister of equal talent. She wouldn't have won all those championships.
ooh please hhaha ,lol
if elena want too win the semi's she hass
too serve amazing. and she just dont.!!
serena will hammer her by tomorrow too storm intoo
the wimbledon ladies single finals with her sister venus.
How gracious both losers against the Williams sisters were, I don't watch a lot of women's tennis but I do watch the William sisters. Amelie Mauresmo is also a joy to watch.
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