Wimbledon - Reed: Serena is world's best player

Eurosport - Wed, 01 Jul 12:59:00 2009

Eurosport-Yahoo! blogger Simon Reed believes that Serena Williams is the best player in the world and sees her as the favourite for the Wimbledon title.

TENNIS 2009 Wimbledon Serena Williams - 0

Serena is playing some of the best tennis I've seen her play for a couple of years, in particular the first set against Victoria Azarenka in their quarter-final.

I think that Serena is the best player in the world by some way, but there is also something about grass that seems to bring the best out of Venus.

She is ideally suited to grass, and it's fantastic to watch. Her movement around the court is so good that she's on to everything quickly so she forces errors from her opponents, and her ground-strokes are consistently of high quality. She's just amazingly tough to beat.

Grass is so different to any other surface. Venus just has the knack for grass. Serena has the knack for everything, and when she's on her game it's just so difficult for the others.

I think that another final between the two Williams sisters is almost inevitable, given the way things have gone so far.

Agnieszka Radwanska went into her match against Venus comfortably the underdog as Venus beat her in Italy just a couple of months ago.

Venus moves so much better on grass than Dinara Safina, who she meets in the semi-finals, and I'd be surprised if the world number one even takes a set off her.

It seems as though Elena Dementieva is once again destined to be the bridesmaid and not the bride this year. The Russian just seems to lack the nerve for the big occasion, and a semi-final against Serena is certainly one of those.

Perhaps she will go into the match feeling that she has got nothing to lose, as Serena has the head-to-head advantage over her, although she did lose to Dementieva in the Olympic Games quarter-finals, a tournament the Russian went on to win. But the way Serena played today, she is the overwhelming favourite to win again.

I think Roger Federer could be run close by Ivo Karlovic on Centre Court when the men's quarter-finals get underway on Wednesday. Federer will really have to be on his game as the big-serving Croat will be tough even for the five-times champion to break. I can see a lot of tie-breaks in that match, and if Karlovic can take one of those breakers then he could give Federer a scare. It will be a tough match for Federer, but I can see him winning in four sets.

I think Andy Murray's reaction following his dramatic five-set fourth round win over Stanislas Wawrinka could go one of two ways; The late finish could prove to be a draining experience for him, both emotionally and physically, but on the other hand he tested himself when he wasn't playing brilliantly, and I thought there would be a moment or two in this tournament when Murray would struggle to find his form and put a lot of pressure on himself, but I thought he came through really well.

I think Murray will beat Juan Carlos Ferrero, who I don't think has the kind of game that will worry him. The kind of players who give Murray trouble are the ones who can really belt the ball at him, and Ferrero is not of that type. He's a very experienced player, he's a very thoughtful player, but I still see Murray winning, though he may drop a set.

Simon Reed / Eurosport

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  1. The Williams sisters are the undoubtedly the best. I am­ pretty sure if they were blond and blue eyed they would­ get a lot more media attention and praise. Though many­ may say their game-play is not orthodox , they have­ definitely brought something new and exciting to the­ tennis world (power, precision and speed). If the­ sister played more tournaments it would be obvious that­ they are the best. All you haters should learn to have­ some respect for what are possibly the best female­ tennis players of all time, give credit where credit is­ due.

    Some critics we complaining that the Williams­ sisters were making tennis not interesting because they­ were beating their opponents too severely and too­ quickly. I mean how can you complain that a player is­ playing too well, that's ridiculous!

    From jasem, on Thu 2 Jul 7:03PM

  2. It amazes me that people are down on Serena because of­ her perceived "attitude" she has been nothing­ but gracious in her interviews, Have we forgotten the­ rudeness of "Hingus" and now the crybaby­ "Jelena Jankovic" I will take Serena anyday.

    From siralexanderanytime, on Wed 1 Jul 10:11PM

  3. No player DESERVES a title. Its not something­ you're given. One has to play & beat all­ opponents to win it.

    From Kem-One, on Wed 1 Jul 9:17PM

  4. Deal with the HERE & NOW. Jump back into the PAST­ as much as you like but Wimbledon is NOW in the­ PRESENT. Serena & Venus are not textbook players.­ They're both RAW & ORIGINAL, thats why most of­ you cant stand their game or should i say "No­ finesse" What you see is what you get. They dont­ need guile to win.

    From Kem-One, on Wed 1 Jul 8:47PM

  5. Now !!! NOT THEN. Now !!! Active Now !!!!

    From Kem-One, on Wed 1 Jul 8:36PM

  6. The world's best active player perhaps. But the­ world's best player is watching the tournament on­ her TV back home in Belgium.

    From Bobito, on Wed 1 Jul 5:55PM

  7. the williams are not technically better than the other­ players their weapon is their huge strength. i like­ safina and i think she already deserves a grand slam­ title. she just needs to improve her service because­ she makes to much double faults and to get better in­ the first matches. GO SAFINA YOU CAN DO IT (like you­ did in Rome!)

    From carolinafffaria, on Wed 1 Jul 5:19PM

  8. It's Venus and Serena for the final. I can't­ really say which one to win, they're both playing­ so well.

    From frith, on Wed 1 Jul 4:37PM

  9. Has Safina won a grand slam?

    From frith, on Wed 1 Jul 4:36PM
  10. Comment hidden due to its low rating. Show

    give safina some credit, she's the world number 1­ for some reason don't you think?where were serena­ and venus during roland garros?they are great players­ but they are not complete.safina was in the final in­ australia and roland garros and she will play a­ semifinal in wimbledon...so i think she's as good­ as williams.i think safina deserves a little bit of­ more respect.

    From carolinafffaria, on Wed 1 Jul 3:33PM

  11. @samm u are a big fool and a worse animal

    From Nony, on Wed 1 Jul 12:57PM

  12. The use of vulgar languages against the Williams­ sisters is unfortunate. The comment sounds racist­ ,defeatist and cowardice. Kindly allow excellence and­ hardwork to be shining examples to the younger ones­ across the globe irrespective of differences. Thanks.

    From oftongo68, on Wed 1 Jul 12:50PM

  13. The use of vulgar languages against the Williams­ sisters is unfortunate. The comment sounds racist­ ,defeatist and cowardice. Kindly allow excellence and­ hardwork to be shining examples to the younger ones­ across the globe irrespective of differences. Thanks.

    From oftongo68, on Wed 1 Jul 12:48PM

  14. heh heh heh heh. You see how mad victory turns some of­ them??

    From Kem-One, on Wed 1 Jul 12:38PM

  15. ALL TENNIS MATCHES ON INTERNET: AUSTRALIAN OPEN,­ WIMBLEDON, ROLAND GARROS, US OPEN, , DAVIS CUP , FED­ CUP, ATP INTERNATIONAL SERIES, MASTERS SERIES, ATP­ CHALLENGER SERIES, ATP FUTURES SERIES AND MUCH MORE

    From WWW.PREMIERSHIP.ALTERVISTA.ORG, on Wed 1 Jul 12:35PM

  16. how a standard slight built woman can compete with­ these monsters is beyond belief, its like pitting barry­ mcguigan against lennox lewis , there should be some­ weight handicap introduced

    From FoeyP, on Wed 1 Jul 12:06PM

  17. I completely agree. Come on Serena!!

    From johnahbirch, on Wed 1 Jul 12:06PM

  18. Simon Reed's command of English is appalling. The­ grammar is incorrect and the writing style is­ childish.. he should write for the Metro.

    From er1k1, on Wed 1 Jul 12:04PM

  19. good tennis played by gifted and great females­ women/men
    thanks for hours of pleasure during­ wimbledon. The athletism by both female and male­ opponents is a joy to watch. thank you for the­ entertainment. winners are winners but it is all who­ take part that give the joy to me. females/males­ displaying their skills tollerance and control are a­ marvel to watch. The whole scene on court is­ spectacular to watch from the umpires to the skills of­ the ball boys/girls it is just magic. the best of luck­ to all taking part. play your best then winning or­ losing won't make a difference to you. maurice

    From iggyg, on Wed 1 Jul 12:03PM

  20. good tennis played by gifted and great females­ women/men
    thanks for hours of pleasure during­ wimbledon. The athletism by both female and male­ opponents is a joy to watch. thank you for the­ entertainment. winners are winners but it is all who­ take part that give the joy to me. females/males­ displaying their skills tollerance and control are a­ marvel to watch. The whole scene on court is­ spectacular to watch from the umpires to the skills of­ the ball boys/girls it is just magic. the best of luck­ to all taking part. play your best then winning or­ losing won't make a difference to you. maurice

    From iggyg, on Wed 1 Jul 12:02PM
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