Serena Williams defeated her sister Venus on Wednesday night at the US Open in an epic match that proved that once again the Williams sisters are the best tennis players in the world.
Serena will face Beijing Olympic silver medalist Dinara Safina in the semifinals on Friday. Safina advanced to her second Grand Slam semifinal in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 over Flavia Pennetta.
The second quarterfinal of the day was a showcase example of power tennis at its finest as the Williams sisters combined for sixty winners and fifteen aces. Serena saved ten set points before winning in two sets 7-6(6), 7-6(7).
“I can’t believe I won,” said a breathless Serena after shaking hands with her sister at the net.
Their last meeting in the 2008 Wimbledon final ended in Venus’ favor, but tonight under the lights in Arthur Ashe stadium, Serena took a 9-8 lead in their head-to-head match record.
“I can’t believe I won.”- Serena Williams after coming from behind (twice in two straight sets) to beat her sister Venus in the quarterfinal of the US Open.
Frankly my dear, hardly anyone who was paying attention to the match can believe it. And what a match it was. An absolute, undeniable WOW of a match!
But if we think back (come on folks stir those memories) we’ve seen variations on this scenario from Serena before, to wit: the Australian Open triumph last year, followed not long after by a stunning come from behind win against Justine Henin at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Yeah, we’ve seen this movie before. And it never fails to amaze. The semifinal match should double your “comeback” pleasure: Dinara Safina is also no stranger to that particular brand of winning.
This was certainly not the first time Serena pulled a “Houdini” escape in a match.
That match you mentioned, Wilson, in Miami a few years ago was excellent. Coming back from a bagel set is amazing for anyone, but to do it against Henin—doubly impressive.
Both Dinara and Serena tend to play better when behind, so this (hopefully) will be a very thrilling semifinal encounter.
I have long thought that there is sometimes something within Venus Williams that holds her back when playing her sister. Let me be clear – I don’t think she is aware of it. However the fact of missing 10 set points and committing 45 UEs while being able to win many much tougher points does say something.
I do agree with you Pov, only just. Serena when on form, has proven several times that all she has to do( when behind) is hang in there and just play a sturdy mentally focused game. As, Aaress mentioned, she has done so even against some of the best in the game.
I’m not saying Venus isn’t a good player, far from it. But, Venus like every other player on the WTA tour knows not to take Serena Williams lightly in any match. Venus always started both sets very well and I do believe the problems came when she realized that even her high level of play wasn’t exactly leaving Serena behind, instead she was picking off on Venus’ unforced errors.
I do recall Venus saying that she would have won against another opponent on the night, but it had to be Serena(post match interview). There are certain players on the tour who just don’t go away, even when you are all over them. It requires a sustained level of mental toughness(Justine(retired), Serena, Schiavone, Safina etc). Ana Ivanovic did just that at the french open to top Safina.
In my opinion, the intensity and level of play shown by the Williams leads me to discount any sisterly factors at play. Whoever blinked the most was going to lose. So, although Venus always started well and Serena always played catchup, Venus blinked more times than Serena.
Great performance all round, could have been a finals clash!
@Pov
I am not a psychologist, but I am perfectly sure the competitive branch of ones brain won’t ever perform at exact thresholds when the opponent the other side of you is your – loved sister.
That is not to say Venus ‘fixed’ the game – but I just imagine from my point of view that Vee relaxes, involuntararily , letting her – I-want-to-beat-aunty-Serena win the crucial points.
Look at the smile on her face when the game was up. Oh dear. Terrific play. Terrific sisters.
Go get it Serena!
@Pov
I am not a psychologist, but I am perfectly sure the competitive branch of ones brain won’t ever perform at exact thresholds when the opponent the other side of you is your – loved sister.
That is not to say Venus ‘fixed’ the game – but I just imagine from my point of view that Vee relaxes, involuntararily , letting her – I-want-to-beat-aunty Serena win the crucial points.
Look at the smile on her face when the game was up. Oh dear. Terrific play. Terrific sisters.
Go get it Serena!