Serena Williams is one helluva challenger. In her efforts to defend her Australian Open title, she came up with one of her best matches in recent times. iSporter Chirag Mansukhani gives us an account of her valiant comeback!
In a match that lasted almost two and a half hours top seed and defending Women’s Singles Champion Serena Williams pulled through in an epic encounter with 20 year old Victoria Azarenka of Belarus winning the match 4-6 7-6(4) 6-2.
Azarenka started strongly breaking the former champion in the opening game of the match. Both players exchanged breaks several times in the first set as they struggled to hold on to their serve. However, Azarenka managed to not only hold her serve but also her nerve to claim the first set 6-4.
She then rushed out to a 4-0 lead in the second set leaving Williams astounded as she stared down the barrel of defeat. With seemingly no hope left Williams staged an unbelievable comeback. It seemed like Williams just decided to go all out and threw everything she had in her armour including the kitchen sink at Azarenka. Serena somehow managed to force a tie-break in the second set which she won 7-4.
That was enough to shatter the young Belarusian and Serena never looked back as she pounded some hard ground strokes with seemingly only winners coming off her racquet. Serena went on to win the third set 6-2 finally coming out on top in an enthralling battle.
It was tough to see the young Belarusian come so close to victory only to have a fiery and determined Serena snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. I take nothing away from Serena Williams though, who fought back valiantly to continue her title defense.
Williams hit 57 winners in the match, 22 of them coming in the second set alone. It is this amazing stat that speaks volumes of the way Serena plays her tennis and manages to dominate the match through her power play from the back of the court.
Serena will now be looking to take revenge on behalf of elder sister Venus but is sure to have her hands full with 16th seeded Chinese sensation Li Na who earlier dispatched the elder Williams 2-6 7-6 7-5.
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