Williams wins 6-1, 6-3
Sharapova drives into the net for what feels like the 1,000th time this match to give Williams two match points at 15-40. She saves the first by winning a rare point on second serve - attacking the net as she has failed to do so often and delivering a measured forehand from right-to-left which just eluded Venus at full stretch. But she's only staving off the inevitable, and Williams takes her 19th break point after Sharapova nets once more.
It was a superlative performance from Williams after an unconvincing start to the tournament, but she will be disappointed to have dropped so many points to unforced errors. She battled hard, but you would expect more composure at key moments from the world No2. As for Williams it will be interesting to see how she goes from here. She really upped her game today and though she faces fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova next and potentially fourth seed Ana Ivanovic in the semi-finals, she's capable of beating anyone when she's on top of her game.
A repeat of the 2002 final - when the two Williams sisters squared off on centre court, is an enticing possibility.
Aside:
Serena takes the court NOW in her quarter-final match! She plays Preamble: Here we go then, Henin has cruised through to the quarters, while Serena has stumbled through - knacked left-leg and all. This is their eleventh meeting and Serena leads 6-4 so far, although after their last meeting, which Heninin won, Serena says she felt violated. I felt that way when I went down in the quarters of the Chantry under-12s, so I know how she feels.
Oh Boy!
First set: *Williams 1- 0 Henin Serena comes out slugging and smacks a volley into Henin's body that elicits a yelp from both players. Serena is moving well enough, despite her injury a few days ago. She serves out the game with an ace. So far so good for an all Williams final.
Sharapova drives into the net for what feels like the 1,000th time this match to give Williams two match points at 15-40. She saves the first by winning a rare point on second serve - attacking the net as she has failed to do so often and delivering a measured forehand from right-to-left which just eluded Venus at full stretch. But she's only staving off the inevitable, and Williams takes her 19th break point after Sharapova nets once more.
It was a superlative performance from Williams after an unconvincing start to the tournament, but she will be disappointed to have dropped so many points to unforced errors. She battled hard, but you would expect more composure at key moments from the world No2. As for Williams it will be interesting to see how she goes from here. She really upped her game today and though she faces fifth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova next and potentially fourth seed Ana Ivanovic in the semi-finals, she's capable of beating anyone when she's on top of her game.
A repeat of the 2002 final - when the two Williams sisters squared off on centre court, is an enticing possibility.
Aside:
Serena takes the court NOW in her quarter-final match! She plays Preamble: Here we go then, Henin has cruised through to the quarters, while Serena has stumbled through - knacked left-leg and all. This is their eleventh meeting and Serena leads 6-4 so far, although after their last meeting, which Heninin won, Serena says she felt violated. I felt that way when I went down in the quarters of the Chantry under-12s, so I know how she feels.
Oh Boy!
First set: *Williams 1- 0 Henin Serena comes out slugging and smacks a volley into Henin's body that elicits a yelp from both players. Serena is moving well enough, despite her injury a few days ago. She serves out the game with an ace. So far so good for an all Williams final.
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