Asked when her shoulder problems began, Williams replied: “Ironically enough, the day after the finals of Wimbledon”.
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Shriver, a TV analyst and runner-up in the 1978 U.S. Open, favors Williams in NY and again in January at Melbourne.
Key Statistic I: 22 – Number of Grand Slam singles titles won by Williams, sharing the professional-era record with Steffi Graf. However, no other player has come this close and with the US Open around the corner, the two women are ready to battle it out.
She could also break Graf’s record of 186 consecutive weeks atop the world rankings, and surpass Chris Evert for the most US Open singles titles won (six) in the Open era.
“Naomi’s playing pretty well – she’s got a big serve and a big forehand so I’m just going to try and get as many returns in as possible”. He said Friday he’s practiced lightly in NY to get used to the conditions at the U.S. Open and isn’t doing any off-court work, “trying to be as fresh as I can”. For me, the crowd is just fantastic.
It was a win which came after a dispiriting run at the Slams – a shock semi-final defeat to Roberta Vinci in NY 12 months ago followed by losses in the Australian and French Open finals to Angelique Kerber and Garbine Muguruza respectively. She has played in only one event, the Rio Olympics, where she was bounced in the third round by Elina Svitolina. “But there is nothing we can do about it”.
“With every one I’m getting a bit more confidence and feeling better closing it out”.
Williams faces a tricky opening encounter against experienced Russian Ekaterina Makarova. French Open champ Garbine Muguruza of Spain is seeded third, Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska is the fourth seed and Romania’s Simona Halep is fifth. Rosol bumped into Murray during a change of ends, prompting a heated response from Murray, who said: “No one likes you on the tour”.
Kerber, 28, boasts a title at Stuttgart, an Olympic silver medal and finals appearances at Brisbane in January and this month in Cincinnati – where she missed her first chance to supplant Williams atop the rankings after a 6-3, 6-1 defeat by Karolina Pliskova.
Despite the uncertainty, Williams said the pressure level seemed lower. “It was interesting to me to experience how was it for him for so many years struggling with that essential part of your body as a tennis player”.
Top-ranked Serena Williams says she hasn’t practiced much because of her right shoulder injury. “Hopefully on Monday, when it all starts, I will be there”, said the top seed and defending champion.
Pam Shriver expects Serena Williams to heal the wounds of last year’s heartbreak by winning a record 23rd Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open.
Compatriot Laura Robson will join them in the main draw if she wins her final qualifier against Germany’s Tatjana Maria on Friday at about 20:30 BST.
The draw on Friday at Flushing Meadows has now pitted the pair together again but Murray was adamant they have patched up their differences.
World No. 1 Williams was denied a first calendar Grand Slam when she was sensationally beaten by Roberta Vinci at the semi-final stage last September.
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2015 Women’s Singles Champion: Flavia Pennetta of Italy.
