Serena Williams is potentially the best tennis player of all-time. Her mental strength, her athleticism, her power, her fight, her technique, all these qualities make the American a forced to be reckoned with when she steps on the court. Most opponents don't stand a chance against her, and the few that do need to be playing their utmost best in order to really challenge her. Out of those who do challenge her, only a handful can beat her. Victoria Azarenka is probably the sole representantive of that elite group. She proved it in Doha, at the beginning of the season, and she proved it again in Cincinnati, just a few weeks ago.
Vika is the ultimate competitor. She hates to lose and she would do anything to prevent that from happening. She is fearless, uninhibited, brave, and extremely confident. Although Serena still holds the upper hand in their head-to-head, the Belorussian is constantly raising her level to match the American's. The US Open final provided the best indication of just how exciting the rivalry has become.
It was an epic battle, with Williams building a 7-5,4-1 lead, to be pegged back by the feisty Belorussian. Although she served for the match twice, Serena watched hopelessly as Vika leveled the dispute, forcing a decider. As said, it was a sublime display from the world No.2, probably the best I've ever seen her play. However, as she did so many times in her tremendous career, the American found a way to get out of the rabbit hole. She started playing safer, cutting down on the unforced errors, while pushing her opponent miss more. Azarenka was drained mentally and physically after that second act, so she couldn't respond. Williams got the early break and was unstoppable from there, going on to serve out a remarkable 7-5,6-7,6-1 victory.
Serena successfully defended her crown, taking her Grand Slam tally to 17th crowns. However, I feel that the Vika was the true winner of the match. The way she fought, the determination, the courage, Azarenka is clearly pushing Williams more and more every time, and it's just a matter of time before she will start dominating their clashes. Until that happens though, Serena has time to fully celebrate her immense triumph. 2013 was probably her best season ever, with nine titles, out of which two Slams, plus an emphatic return to No.1. As Vika said, "there's one word. She's a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there."
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| Although she built what seemed a decisive lead, an incredibly nervous Serena watched hopelessly as Vika leveled the match to force a decider. |
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| As she has done so many times, Serena found a way yo get out of the rabbit hole. The American played it smart and won 7-5,6-7,6-1 to successfully defend the US Open crown. |
photos: GETTY IMAGES
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