Is there anyone in the women’s tournament who can beat Serena Williams when she plays like she did tonight?
No.
We’ve grown accustomed to watching Serena meander through the early rounds, even when she’s having an “on” year. She rarely plays her best when she isn’t pushed. Not tonight though. This was Serena at her peak form.
Why? Because the Open changed the traditional night match schedule, allowing the men to go first and the women to wait around for them to play three sets.
Good move. After the idiotic opening ceremony on Monday, the women’s match didn’t get underway until well past 8. After Venus struggled to a three-set win, Roddick took the court at 11:20. That’s scheduling idiocy.
Serena was the perfect player for the inaugural switch. You know Serena loved having Roger Federer as her opening act. She’s diva! That’s why our love/hate relationship with Serena so often flips to love.
I just wish Serena would approach the rest of the year the way she prepares and focuses for the slams. I’m sympathetic to her beef with the rankings. But so often she lacks professionalism. In Cincinnati three weeks ago, Serena tanked her third round match against Sybille Bammer. There is no other way to explain that result. She could be Bammer, a doubles specialist, with one hand tied behind her back.
Serena, wouldn’t you like to show everyone what you could do if you dedicated yourself to tennis for twelve months, at every tournament you play? Not only would you be the top ranked player in the world, but you could break every record.
Until she takes us up on that offer, we look forward to Clijsters and Henin and a healthy Sharapova, because they push Serena to lift her game to the level worthy of her talent.
Passing Shots 
Posted on September 3, 2009
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