http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2010/01/24/venu...st-an-illusion/



But, Venus! What is up with this??

Haha. It's funny you mentioned that comment, because I was thinking of that same one when I made my statement about Petrova never talking bad about her opponents. I was thinking it was the closest instance I can recall of her being snarky, but I interpreted it as being actually quite playful. The context was after Petrova lost to Oudin at the U.S. Open. It was the third straight match Oudin had won against a tall Russian player. Basically the question was what was it about the young U.S. player beating tall strong Russian players. Petrova replied with something like, "well now, she faces a short, chubby Russian. Let's see how she does with that." I chuckled when I read that and I bet Petrova was smiling with her tongue firmly in cheek. Eh. I guess it could be seen as mean and catty. Maybe Nadia and Sveta joke around a lot behind the scenes.

Hmm...I was worried about the matchup between Venus and Schiavone. Venus likes pace and all that spin Franny was putting on the ball was giving Venus fits in the first set. In addition, Venus' serving was horrendous. That was as horrible a set of tennis I've seen Venus play in awhile. But, she steadied the ship and went on a tear in the second and third sets. I don't think Schiavone held serve again. She will have to pick it up against Li Na but I think Li will give Venus more of a ball with pace that she will like to hit. Li Na didn't play great against Wozniacki. A lot of errors there too. I'm gonna go with Venus on this one just based on experience and the fact that I'm hoping that was Venus' bad match. If she beats Li she will be back to 3 in the world. Can't go any higher if she even wins the tournament.

Sucks to see Dinara have to retire bcuz of her back bcuz she was playing very nicely and quietly making her way through the draw. The gods are just falling in place for Kirilenko. Kirilenko and Zheng quarter? Wow. At the start of the tournament it was all about how loaded the bottom half of the draw is, but now you've got Henin as the only major title winner. I just wonder if Henin is ready to win this thing. She didn't play great vs Wickmayer and her serving will have to get better. But, still nice to see her into the quarters in just her second tournament back.

Serena was SICK!! She has been so focused from day one of this tournament and her serving today is further proof that she has the best serve in women's tennis. Nothing Stosur could do and when Serena is serving like that, no one beats her.

Vera vs Azarenka....I knew when Vera lost that second set Azarenka would win. Vera had a set, 3-1 and 40-15 and after that was just a mess!!!! She still doesn't have it between the ears. Nice recovery from Azarenka but she will need to play better to have a chance against Serena. I know people are looking forward to this match given the whole circumstances of last year's match between them at the Australian Open. But actually...I think this will give Serena even MORE motivation to whip her just like she did at Wimbledon last year. People are still talking about Azarenka having to retire in that match after having won the first set last year as if one set makes a match win and as if Serena hasn't come down from a set to win a match. All one needs to do is point to the match between Vera and Azarenka to make that point. So I think Serena will be on a mission and can smell the finish line.

Impressed but not surprised by Justine's accomplishments, given her talent and her ability to think and adapt. Plus Kim's performance at the USO showing that there's been room at the top for the top players, even with long layoffs. The women's game is much better off with her skills in play. Don't begrudge her anything, but still don't root for her.

Rooting for Venus to win this for the first time. I keep expecting her to become more of a thinker...better able to work her way through her bad patches/struggles. Perhaps it'll never really happen...but she did well in her last match. Here's hoping she will raise the level of her game, and be able to adapt as the match(es) progresses.

Zheng did make it to the Semi-Finals back in '08 at Wimbledon...
I'm pulling for Venus myself to FINALLY win one Down Under!

Serena's been by far the best player into the quarters. It's different from her usual gradual improvement of form, almost like she's serving notice to the others (HENIN) what they have in store should they dare.

Though mercurial and multifaceted Venus's persona/personality is about 10 times more appealing and interesting to me than Serena's, the relationships (or lack thereof) that the two have with TV people and the fakey-fake convos that result are kinda sorta interesting. It's pretty apparent the sisters don't care much for Shriver, we didn't even need to get into Serena and Carillo, but Venus and Serena do seem to have a rapport with Mary Joe and with Corina Morariu of Tennis Channel.

It could be because they actually played with MJF and Morariu on the tour, so they got to know them more informally and see them as contemporaries, who understand what life is like for women playing today's game.

Geez, Justine in yet another tight match. Petrova playing well. High numbers in all her stats---aces, winners, and unforced errors. So once again, inconsistent, streaky. This match could easy go to another 3 setter. The little woman must be near her breaking point physically.

so Justine makes the semis. Admirable. And her next opponent will be unseeded, whereas the W sisters both have to get past seeded opponents, only to have each other to face, if successful. I am anticipating the obvious--a final against Serena, where Justine gets a challenge, if not a blowout. But she will have made it to her a major final in her first tournament back. I'm just saying...

Zheng was on a mission today. I was supremely impressed. Obviously Henin will be a huge step up in quality, but since the hard work is already done - reaching a second major semifinal to prove the first wasn't so flukey after all - I'm sure she'll just be swinging freely and going for her shots. As we saw with Wickmayer, that can give Henin problems; but as we also saw in that match and against Petrova, Henin is still great at clawing herself out of trouble. I think the only question is her fitness, but she should make it through the final. This would mean that Henin will have made the final at seven of the last nine majors she's played.

I haven't seen anything to suggest Serena won't defend her title finally (she's only defended a major title once) and pick up #12, though. She's won something like four in a row against Venus, which suggests their famously dead-even H2H is a thing of the past. Henin has been making some noise and her comeback is looking great, no doubt about it, but when you think about it she's just managed to beat the same iffy Russians that Oudin (her mini-me, although Justine is already mini ) did at the last major. She was Serena's nemesis when she was at No 1, beating her three times a row in Slam QFs, but a final is a different animal. Nevertheless, assuming that's the final match-up, I'm hoping for fireworks. And no retirements this time, please, Justine.

Zheng played a beautiful match and it was fun to watch. Such precise hitting! Unfortunately, I don't think Justine will let her do that. Zheng averaged only 134 km/hr on her 1st serve and I just can't see her getting away with that.

Perhaps this is overly simple, but should they meet in the final, I think Henin will be sometimes expose weaknesses or trip up Serena's ground game in a way that none of Serena's previous opponents can. She could make Serena look clumsy in longer exchanges -- should they happen. So the match might not be the truly dominant Serena win that many expect.

I'd still go for Serena though because her serve is one of the game's biggest weapons, men's or women's side.

Still a lot of tennis to go though.

Little Jie is cute and wicked.

I would note that the first time Dementieva ever won a title was in Amelia Island against Justine in 2003 (who go on to win her first slam at the French). I believe one of Justine's comments as to why she lost was that Dementieva's second serve was too slow. Apparently, it messes up her rhythm. Or, maybe it's the fact that Dementieva, at that time, was capable of following up fast serves with puffballs and you just didn't know what you were going to get. Still, I recall than in matches past (whether she won or lost them) Henin has made some comments about an opponent's serve being too slow and that she wasn't used to it.

I'd forgotten about that, but I do suspect the huge variability in Dementieva's serve may have gotten to her more than the slowness. Sometimes her second serve would come in in the 90s, sometimes in the 50s. She used to have some wild action on those slow serves; she had so much trouble with her toss that some of her serves were mishits, really. Zheng's nowhere near as erratic, so while the lack of pace might throw her at first, I'm guessing that Justine will adjust.

Oh Venus...you should be horsewhipped for that performance. What looked like a 6-2, 6-3 match ended up being a remarkable comeback for Li. Venus can't get out of her own way and its just pathetic that she plays like this. Congrats to Li. 2 Chinese in the semifinals.

egads, that was a horrible loss for Venus. the price you pay for playing pantyless.

Hmm...I do not like at all the way Serena has come out to start her match with Azarenka. I wonder if Venus' loss has put her off. She's just not as focused and not serving the way she has all tournament. The errors to start are there. But credit to Azarenka...she is blasting the ball. I really thought Serena was going to put Azarenka away quickly but I don't know. Serena is antsy, is muttering to herself...just doesn't seem to have that confidence she's had in her previous matches. She shouldn't be thinking about last year's match with Azarenka...she killed her at Wimbledon.

I love Na Li and am glad she's making a run at the Top Ten, but I feel like sticking my head in the toilet and flushing it. How does Venus serve so poorly in the third set of a slam quarterfinal? I felt like she was broken at will. It doesn't make any sense to me. And now Serena is stinking up the joint. Curse of the even year? The last time both sisters made the quarters in Australia (2008), both lost.

Azarenka is kickin Serena's ass plain and simple. She is defending amazingly and is dictating and outhitting Serena. Serena is winning less than 50% on first serves??? What?!!!

With 2 Chinese women in the semi-finals, the 2010 Oz Open Women's SFs could be the most watched day of tennis ever (in terms of sheer #s).

Serena pulled up on her knee but whatever...Azarenka is returning Serena's big serves with an exclamation point. She definitely has not played as well as she had been playing. I don't know what is up but I hope Azarenka plays like this for the rest of the tournament. She was almost out to Zvonareva and sometimes that lights a fire under someone.

Yeah, it would be ironic if both Zheng and Li make it to the finals, it would be the least watched women's final ever in the U.S. (who is playing who?) and yet potentially the most watched women's finals in the world ever.

I guess Kimmy was right, sometimes you just have one of those days. Serena seems to be off her game. Venus, though, should have won her match.

i haven't followed tennis in a long while so i don't know this azarenka, but the bitch's grunt is annoying.

serena back in the match 4-4 in the 2nd.

5-4 serena nice comeback. saw this match when she was 0-4 in the 2nd.

serena comes back! wow!

go serena!

Wow...even if she loses the third set....incredible 2nd set comeback from Serena.

amazing comeback.

this game pretty much shows why serena is the better player than venus.

Serena MOTHERf**kIN Williams!!! Serena's mental strength is absolutely AMAZING!!! Went from playing her absolute worst to her absolute best!! Take note Venus...this is why lil sis is the better player!!! You'd think I would know never to count her out.

So which squandered lead was more pathetic: the 6-2, 5-3 or the 6-4, 4-0?

Well...Venus was 2 points from winning that match. Azarenka was 6 points from winning it but man..looking at it now...6 points is a long way rather than being up 5-4 30-30 and serving for it. Venus was pathetic. At least Azarenka was playing out of her mind. Its just that Serena found her serve and found her game and didn't let Azarenka get away with powderpuff serves. She also stepped up her footwork and she found her game. In her post match comments with Shriver she said it best...she's like Roddick in that they both rely on their serve so much for their overall games and if they are not serving well it often affects their entire game. But ya know...I don't know....I don't know what was going on with Serena at the start of that match but even early on before she could realize she wasn't serving well she just seemed agitated and I really think it had to do with the delay and subsequent finish from Venus' match.

It honestly was almost a repeat of the US Open match against Clijsters. It was raining and waiting and waiting and waiting and I think she was agitated and Clijsters came out and really dictated. But Serena still didn't play as horribly as she did in the first set and a half today. Azarenka took it to Serena but Serena found her game in time and Azarenka wasn't getting away with what she was able to once Serena upped her level. Amazing match. Man I hope Serena takes the title now after winning that. She said she's not 100% and I don't know if the knee is bothering her or what but man I hope she can recover enough to win tomorrow against Li. She can't start off crappy. However, Li I don't think will be playing as well as Azarenka did. I mean Azarenka for a set and 4-0 looked like when Sharapova creamed Serena during that Wimbledon final. Credit to her and her time will come.

The moral of today's matches are to never trust Venus with a lead and to never count Serena down and out.

Hmm...it's matches like this that really do make me wonder what would have happened had Serena not been called for a footfault at the U.S. Open against Clijsters.

Is she is bitch because of the "grunt?"



I can take a little grunting...it's the screaming that I find totally unnecessary, and really aggravating. Shriekapova is a good example. There is no reason for that. There outta be a law....

There are several women players that do that now. Trendy? Gawd!

What I don't like about Azarenka's shriek (and they pointed it out in commentary last night) is how it extends so long after she makes contact wiith the ball. She's still making noise when the other player makes contact with the ball. That ish is not called for.

I'm a little nervous that Serena and Li are playing again today, after which Serena is due to play doubles. Seems like an awful lot of tennis for Serena if she's injured. That said, It's not like Li was in blazing form against Venus. Venus seemed to break Li's serve at will (she balanced that out by allowing herself to be broken at will).

My nightmare would be seeing Serena hobbling around against Justine in the Finals and losing in a quick two sets, whereupon the pundits fall over themselves to crown Henin as the real no. 1 (who plays "real" tennis, like Federer) and discards everything that has happened in the past two year because she wasn't around.

A Tale of Two Sisters. There's a hysterical (in the Freudian sense) Korean movie with that title, but last night it was outdone.

I'm so glad I didn't watch Venus's match.

I like her more than Serena and life isn't defined by tennis results. But there is no doubt Serena is a far better player.

As for Serena it was totally predictable she would win the way she did. Of course she was going to put herself in an even deeper hole than she was last year against Azarenka, and proceed to kick Vika's ass in a way that answered any questions about that ret. win. Very Ali-like. And yet it may as well have been scripted.

Serena is just a higher caliber of player.

I'm a little puzzled by the description of Li as a counterpuncher. She doesn't have as much power as Serena, of course, but she has moderate power (much more than Zheng). Since she takes the ball early and hits very flat, I've always thought of her as a pretty aggressive player.

IMHO, this was one of Serena's seriously great wins. Li Na was steady and sturdy but Serena's mental focus was absolutely incredible. She's clearly having some physical issues but her outrageous focus during this match really impressed me.

Great win for Serena which was won mostly on mental toughness. Her movement wasn't great and she didn't step it up until she had to. I think had it gone 3 that match would've gone to Li. I wouldn't be disappointed if she and Venus lost the doubles because Justine is putting a HURTING on Jie Zheng right now. Justine is on fire....so aggressive.

JUSTINE JUST PLAYED SICK!! Wow did she send a message!! She was aggressive from start to finish and I think that was preparation for what she will want to do against Serena. Can't believe this is the first time we will see a Justine vs Serena grand slam final.

Can't believe that either. Amazing. The two best female players over the seven years, although obviously not at the same time, and yet never meeting in a final. Such a difference from the 70s, 80s, and 90s, when the majors were replete with the best playing the best. Even in the early part of the 00s it happened regularly.

Regardless of the outcome, hope it's a sign of things to come rather than a one and done. Complete props to Justine for achieving...great effort, great heart, real competitor.

And, it goes without saying, so I will say it...hope Serena wins.

Well who woulda thought that this is the way the women's final would be set up? Makes for some drama. Justine clawing her way with 3 setters. Then the last one she shows that she is not worn down, but ready, even for the powerful and hardest fighter -- Serena. Wow. I hope this is televised. And not in the middle of the night.. although I have a feeling....

Even weirder than that is them never meeting in a final is that they went nearly four years without meeting at any tournament. I'm kind of expecting a Serena win here. Serena has been more consistently good here (particularly on serve) and is a better hardcourt player, all things being equal.

Justine did get a quick match, though, which she needed to avoid being worn out. And I think there's a lot more pressure on Serena here, so...you never know.

Its the middle of the night. The ladies final is a night match so it will air at 330am EST. But, they always do an encore later in the day if you want to just wait and see it. I was pleased to see Serena moving well in the doubles. She didn't seem fatigued and was glad she and Serena put Raymond and Stosur away in two. It almost didn't end up like that. Serena served for the match at 5-4 in the second, got broken, and the next thing you know it was 5-6 15-40 on Venus' serve. I just knew it was going 3 with Venus serving but somehow they got out of that, won the tiebreak and it was game, set, and match. Hopefully their match will be quick either way today.

My take is that the match could go either way, but I'm pulling for Serena.

An interesting question, though, is how do they view each other these days? I used to have a sense there was animosity between Serena and Henin in the past. They only would give credit to each other begrudgingly. But, based on their interviews, the animosity seems to have lost its bite. They have great respect for each other and I think both believe the other has helped them reach the levels they did in their careers. Maybe they also realize they have a lot in common: super intense competitors who have had their share of bad press concerning on-court behavior. For every Serena hater, there is a Justine hater, whereas nobody really hates Clijsters, Davenport, or even Venus.

___

Q. How do you look at your rivalry with Serena?

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, I think a lot of respect for who she is, what she did. She is a real champion. She proved it again in this tournament. Has been in trouble, and she had the reaction of, yeah, the greatest champions. A real fighter. Never gives up. And I think she really helped the game to come at another level. And she really helped women's tennis a lot. She's still there with an amazing attitude.

I think we respect each other a lot for that. We're both real fighters. We want to win. And I think maybe we helped each other, yeah, to get better. So it's a good one.

Q. Do you think of her as a rival or another player you have to beat?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I definitely think of her as a rival. I think we bring out the best game in each other. I think that we both just play our hearts out. I think that's what creates a good rivalry.

Q. What does she do particularly well?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Uhm, well, I think, again, it's a case of: What doesn't she do well?

Q. You said you didn't know how you were going to handle the pressure. How are you handling it?

JUSTINE HENIN: I'm still fine. I'll see tomorrow, on Saturday. But, no, I still think I have to be at the same attitude that I arrived in Australia. I didn't really know what to expect. I wouldn't be honest if I said I don't want to win this tournament now that I'm in the final. But I'll just try to be focused on what I will have to do.

I know I'll have to play a great tennis because Serena in this kind of situation is at her best level all the time. She has to play, in a Grand Slam final, she produce her best. It means I will have to play a great game, yeah, be aggressive, and really want this title. So we'll see if I'm gonna be able to get that.

Q. You're considered one of the most intense competitors out there. Do you feel Justine's intensity level when you're on the court?

SERENA WILLIAMS: She's a little more calm, but she's also kind of quiet intense. So I think you kind of have to be at the match to see it, how intense she really is. I think it's good. She says 'allez' a lot, so I think it's kind of fun.

Q. Do you think this could be the best answer, this final, which is the real queen of women's tennis?

JUSTINE HENIN: Well, that would be a nice title. But I think we both proved different kind of things in the past. What Serena did was just amazing, and still doing it. And I did my way also on the tour. I think we brought different kind of things to the game. So we both have a different place on the tour.

She is No. 1. I've been No. 1. I hope it's gonna be a great match, really. I hope it's going to be a good atmosphere on the court, that people are going to like the match, and that we can be at our best. That's what I wish for.

Q. Justine seems to be returning well.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, she's playing really well. She's doing great. It will be good. I hope to serve well. But regardless, I'll have to do other things well, too.

Q. How have you considered her comeback?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, it's just been amazing. I mean, her and Kim, such a great story. Justine hasn't been gone that long, but it's still a good story.

Q. The last time you played Serena was Miami 2008.

JUSTINE HENIN: Don't talk to me about that one (smiling).

Q. Are the 2007 quarterfinals still in your head, the three in a row?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I clearly don't remember, so...

Q. French, Wimbledon, US Open.

SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I mean, I think I lost all three, so...

Serena confronts Justine about her comeback

That was some funny ish!!!!!! OMG I fell out!!!

Highlights: Implying that Justine's time away from the game was a ban
Showing Serena that thin
Calling Justine Chucky and Justine as a deep voiced boy
Justine's gay husband and the big dick comment
"The Demented one also known as known as Elena is still Demented"
"Jankovic could probably play better tennis in the dark"
"Tractor woman Kuznetsova won the French Open and then returned to the farm"
"Titanic seems to be doing better than Maria"
"Amelie Mauresmo is retired and now a ball boy"
"Nicole Vaidisova plays better on ice in high heels"
"I almost f**ked up some Asian bitch"
"I would ask you whats going on lately but like everyone else I really don't give a shit"

terp, that made my day.

Serena and Venus defend their doubles championship....11 doubles majors overall...wow!! Wasn't too long and Serena has 24 hours to get ready for Justine! Ummm Venus...why can't you serve like that in singles? I guess with the less energy output in doubles it makes it easier but man she was hitting bombs today!!

snicks....I fell out when I watched that. Classic!!!

Serena should win, but she is not moving or serving well due to injuries.

Beating an emotionally and physically healthy Henin is not easy for a mentally and physically healthy Serena.

Therefore, it will be even more difficult for a mentally, but not physically, healthy Serena to beat Henin.

I want Serena to win, but I think everything is aligned perfectly for Henin to win her first major since coming back on the tour, just like Clijsters.

Strangely rings of the circumstances of Kim Clisters' first major tournament comeback--winning the US Open with a win over Serena (albeit a bizarre ending).

I'm pulling for Henin all the way. But drat the major channels....only EPSN2 is broadcasting both the men's and women's final.s

serena wins her 12th major title. she choked a bit in the 2nd set, but raised the level of her game in the third. thank god she pulled it off.

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!! Serena J. Williams baby!! After the semifinal matches I REALLY had my doubts but the X factor in that match was the serve, which let Henin down. Phew...thats probably the most satisfying Serena win for me ever. 12 majors and all while defending both singles and doubles titles this year. EPIC!!!! Great to have Justine back too. She's a hell of a fighter. Serena just wasn't going to be denied in the final. AND SHE CAN WIN IN AN EVEN YEAR DOWN UNDER!!