The Power of Venus And Serena Sends Opponents Packing
Monday, March 30, 2009
Serena Williams, USADon't tell me Serena doesn't take her tennis career seriously!
Three successive days of play may place wear and tear on the body, but not on the iron will of Americans Venus and Serena Williams. The sisters walked away winners on Monday, as well as quarterfinalists at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
Up first was Venus against Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, the two battled it out for over two hours. Radwanska was able to take advantage of Venus getting a slow start and took the first set. As she has done time and time again, Venus pulled it together and took the next two sets, defeating Radwanska 4-6, 6-1, 6-4.
Post match Venus said, "Every now and then everybody has those kinds of matches. I was hitting really well in the practice. Came out, and things weren't going the way I imagined they would, but that's tennis.
"I just had a lot of errors. Seemed like when I had the winner it became an error. On days like that, you just kind of have to let the errors go behind you and still continue to play aggressively and not pull back. Fortunately I've had experiences like that before, and thankfully I know how to get through it."
Venus will next face Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic.
Venus Williams, USA
Serena hit the courts against an opponent that usually gives her a bit of trouble, China's Zheng Zie. As usual, the combination did not disappoint. Serena took a quick lead over Zie to reach 5-0 in the first set. However, very soon after Serena made some costly errors and Zie was level at 5-5 causing Serena all kinds of frustration.
After Serena eventually took the the first set, Zie was able to come back and secure the second. The drama-filled hard shot making match was eventually won in the third set by Serena. She defeated Zie 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.
Post match Serena said, "I don't think I played great. I thought she played probably her best tennis yet. I think I started out great and then maybe my focus lost. Next thing I know, I was in a 5-5 in the first set, which should have never been. Just happy to get through it."
Serena also talked about her current World No. 1 status. "Most of all I enjoy winning slams and the big tournaments. I obviously do enjoy being No. 1. I think it's great. I think it's the epitome of a great athlete. At the end of the day, I've been No. 1 and I'll be No. 1. It seems like I'll be remembered more for how many Grand Slams I'll win. But No. 1 I think is also equally as important."
After Serena eventually took the the first set, Zie was able to come back and secure the second. The drama-filled hard shot making match was eventually won in the third set by Serena. She defeated Zie 7-5, 5-7, 6-3.
Post match Serena said, "I don't think I played great. I thought she played probably her best tennis yet. I think I started out great and then maybe my focus lost. Next thing I know, I was in a 5-5 in the first set, which should have never been. Just happy to get through it."
Serena also talked about her current World No. 1 status. "Most of all I enjoy winning slams and the big tournaments. I obviously do enjoy being No. 1. I think it's great. I think it's the epitome of a great athlete. At the end of the day, I've been No. 1 and I'll be No. 1. It seems like I'll be remembered more for how many Grand Slams I'll win. But No. 1 I think is also equally as important."
Photos by Getty Images
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