It is probably just as well that few people in sport can match Maria Sharapova’s mental strength, because her record against Serena Williams would probably have sent anyone else into meltdown long ago.
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Williams cleaned up the first set in just 20 minutes before Radwanska elicited the largest cheer of the match when she held serve in the first game of the second set, avoiding an embarrassing potential “double bagel” 6-0 6-0 score. “She doesn’t lose it; I actually won it”.
Konta herself said she had simply hoped to be competitive against her first round opponent, eighth seed Venus Williams, but instead she’s been competitive – and some – against Williams, Saisai Zheng, Denisa Allertova, Ekaterina Makarova, and on Wednesday, Zhang Shuai. “Probably realised that she just can’t get balls back and at times has to go for it”, explained Bojana Bobusic, a commentator for AO Radio and a former pro who faced Radwanska in the first round at Australian Open 2013.
The shelf-life of players is limited and it’s all about doing as well as you can – results wise and financially – in that limited time, even if one is relentlessly crushing a friend.
Sharapova came out firing to start, taking an early 2-0 lead on Australia Day, but Williams worked her way into the match in style, saving break points at 4-4 and winning seven games in a row at one stage.
Against Radwanska, the top seed was untouchable and she will go into the decider knowing that of her 25 previous major finals, she has won 21. “When I’m forced to play better, I do well”. She fended off the danger of Camila Giorgi in the opening round with a straight set 6-4, 7-5 victory, followed by consecutive clinical performances against Su-Wei Hsieh 6-1, 6-2, Daria Kasatkina 6-1, 6-1, Margarita Gasparyan 6-2, 6-1 and Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1. “If I don’t have that chance then I don’t have the opportunity to try something different”.
Sharapova hadn’t beaten Williams since 2004 but started the 2015 Open final rematch in fine style. She needed time, she said, to recover mentally and physically.
“I know Aga really well”, Serena said.
She’s dispensed 11 years of scar tissue and showed no trace of baseline benevolence once she found her rhythm. “But definitely when you play someone like Serena you’re trying more”. Equally, it was her defeat and Roberta Vinci’s victory that compelled – and still compels – us to relive the semifinal-round match.
She also called for medical attention twice, though she appeared reluctant to talk about it afterwards. I feel great. I didn’t think I would do so well so fast.
“She’s a great defender and a great girl”, Williams said of the Pole. Worse, Radwanska has managed to pick up just one set against the American (during the Wimbledon final in 2012).
“Nothing’s guaranteed in sports”, said Williams. She won the biggest title of her career at the WTA Finals and finished the year at number four in the world, despite having been out of the top ten during the summer.
“She’s at a different level”.
“Hopefully I can play my best tennis or I’ll be in trouble”.
The match is scheduled to begin on Rod Laver Arena after the completion of a men’s doubles match between Adrian Mannarino/Lucas Pouille and Jamie Murray/Bruno Soares, but will not begin before 1:30pm AEDT.
On Thursday at the Australian Open in Melbourne, the four remaining women are in action competing for a spot in the 2016 title match.
“Yeah, that’s positive”, Murray said of the independent review. It stands for “Sneak Attack By Roger” and it’s a maneuver the Swiss star introduced past year but hasn’t yet displayed in Melbourne.
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“He plays well under pressure”.
