Serena Williams of the USA plays a forehand return during her women’s singles semi-final match against Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska at the 2016 Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on Thursday.
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In fact, Williams fell to a similar player in last year’s U.S. Open semifinals when she was shocked by Italy’s Roberta Vinci in three sets.
Another opportunity to march that record has come again as she out classed Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the final of the Australian Open.
Williams’ win over fourth-seeded Radwanska provided yet another reminder of her dominance in the women’s game. It’s safe to say that most people will be siding with Williams, who has played what many consider to be the best tennis of her career during this a year ago.
With the win, Serena remains only one win away from matching Steffi Graf’s Open-era Grand Slam record of 22 titles.
“‘Nothing to lose” means I can go out there and try to play like I’m playing, without pressure”, the 28-year-old said.
“I would say this is probably the best slam I’ve played in a year, and I’ve won a lot in a year”, Williams told reporters on Friday. “When I’m too short, she’s just going for it”, she said.
Skeptics wondered if Serena Williams would be ready for the Australian Open after pulling out of the Hopman Cup early this month with a sore knee.
Kerber ended Sydney-born British player Johanna Konta’s surprising run with a 7-5, 6-2 semifinal win to reach her first Grand Slam final.
Grand slam final debutant Angelique Kerber is keeping her cards close to her chest 24 hours out from Saturday’s decider against Williams. She should be seeded at the French Open and Wimbledon and can pick up significant ranking points at both following her first-round exits previous year.
“I was not playing so good past year in the big tournaments”, she said.
Asked if as a fellow German she felt a duty to try to protect Graf’s record, Kerber replied: “I think so”. Williams will be aiming for her 22nd major title, tying her with another German, Steffi Graf.
“That was the change also for my mentality and my nerves, what I have actually before every match”.
“I took so much time off trying to prepare for this”. You can never underestimate Kerber and she has beaten me before. “So I don’t think anyone can really play on that kind of level at all”.
“I go out there, I don’t have anything to lose”.
“I had a lot of challenges here also in this tournament where I was really nervous”, Kerber said.
“She took out a really tough opponent in Victoria”.
“I feel very comfortable”, Kerber said.
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Williams was perhaps a little more downbeat in her press conference. She’s been very consistent this year already. If there is plenty of scope to bring more subtlety into Konta’s game – her volleying can improve and she lacks the creative touch of a player like Radwanska – her physical attributes are major compensations. If I don’t win on Saturday, I’ll still be one off. If things play out as expected, Williams will win another major championship to add to her collection whereas for Kerber, this will be a first. It’s just a fun place to be and the crowd has always been really awesome for me.
