Highlights from Miami 2008, their last match.
My preview is here. Mad's preview, here. Put our predictions together, I'd say Serena Williams in straight sets or flip a coin if it goes the distance.
What say you?
|
1 |
Novak Djokovic SRB |
11200 |
|
2 |
Roger Federer SUI |
9430 |
|
3 |
Rafael Nadal ESP |
9105 |
|
4 |
Andy Murray GBR |
7500 |
|
5 |
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga FRA |
4930 |
|
6 |
David Ferrer ESP |
4460 |
|
7 |
Tomáš Berdych CZE |
4410 |
|
8 |
Janko Tipsarevic SRB |
3090 |
|
9 |
Juan Martin del Potro ARG |
2970 |
|
10 |
John Isner USA |
2725 |
|
1 |
Victoria Azarenka BLR |
9020 |
|
2 |
Maria Sharapova RUS |
7610 |
|
3 |
Agnieszka Radwanska POL |
7560 |
|
4 |
Petra Kvitova CZE |
6250 |
|
5 |
Samantha Stosur AUS |
5435 |
|
6 |
Serena Williams USA |
5300 |
|
7 |
Marion Bartoli FRA |
4945 |
|
8 |
Caroline Wozniacki DEN |
4936 |
|
9 |
Li Na CHN |
4405 |
|
10 |
Vera Zvonareva RUS |
3640 |
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189 comments:
I was wondering when this video would make its way here. Hilarious. I am afraid to choose. May the better woman win.
It's not a difficult choice for me--SERENA baby! I think we'll know pretty early though. Henin will do a number of drop shots, and if Serena stops running for them, it's over.
I [rpb wont get to see the match until TOMORROW night, unfortunately--i'm ni meetings all day long
Karen, you know I had to wait till they actually played, right?
Craig, LOL, I know. Man, I dont even think I will be able to watch it. You guys want to do the skype thing tomorrow morning. I know I will be on skype with a tennis watching buddy of mine talking as the match progresses because man I dont think I can just watch. Oh man
If Serena's nerves are fine, straight sets. She's gonna eat Henin's first serve; and mash her second serve for dessert. Go 'Rena. Henin won't be able to drop shot unless she can do it from behind the baseline, because Serena will pin her there. Serena's shots rarely land short.
Serena can't move, Justine can't serve. We'll see who exploits the other more.
I, like Karen, amd afraid to pick at this point. I'm just going to watch and pray Serena has the will and strength to bury Henin!
I'm actually getting (really) excited over a women's tennis match! It's been so long. I can't really remember the last time I was this interested in watching. The whole last year+ was just Serena winning almost everything. Nice, but somewhat bland when you know who will win every time...
Here's to a good match! May the better player win.
Is anyone up? They're warming up. Don't let me go through this alone. My whole house is asleep. They don't care.
I thought we got rid of Mary Carillo for Serena's matches but ESPN didn't listen to us.
who's awake?
who's drooling
who's missing Tennis?
Its weird to get this excited about Tennis.
Serena's noivous.
Morning All. Ready for this. Serena nervous. Struggling in her service game. Get the nerves out baby girl.
Wouldn't normally stay up late for a women's final, but I couldn't resist this one.
Both players seem a little shaky, which is not really surprising I guess.
Now kill her serve, Serena.
I like listening to the AO radio guys. They talk rules and everything. She got the nerves out hopefully.t
Serena holds! Brava. Escaped from being bageled.
I'm a bit amazed that this crowd has forgiven Henin for her 2006 final retirement. They've been cheering for her heavily in every round.
Crowd is on Henin's side.
A 95 MPH forehand return?
Damn.
Serena needs to calm down. She's hella nervous.
Hey everyone - what a start to the match.... Looks like this is going to be a boxing match
I wonder if she can keep hitting these aces after starting to get tired under this 95F sun.
Henin cannot keep that forehand, in the deuce court, inside the baseline.
Through 2 games, Serena has served 29 times.
Unbelievable. Did you see Henin talking with Rodriguez?
It is not how you start but how you finish.
I may have to retire. I'm already wilted.
She's loose. Yes.
She's not loose.
Brutal line judging early on.
Justine is cussing so loudly the crowd booed her but the chair didn't hear it?
I call bullshit.
C'mon serena go for 4-1
come on Serena, not a break until you hold
I am hoping that this Aussie crowd is not actually booing their defending champion, if so it would be in really bad form if they did
YEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!
Wow - they are fighting a lot on serena's serve but Henin can't convert any of her break pts....
and why couldn't the umpire hear the obscenity?
Break her again.
Oh so that is why the crowd was booing. The commies on AO radio were of the view it was because the point had to be replayed. The line judge is even explaining stuff to the crowd. Awesome. Hopefully this will be a sign of things to come in tennis.
wtf was that point ?
couldnt umpire just defer to hawkeye?
I never
If there is one thing that Serena can do better than any other women's player it's play big on the important points.
dbl fault? dangerous play
Crowd is trying to help Henin. Hang in there, Serena.
This crowd apparently booed after they saw the ball hit the line that would have given her the break but they had to replay the point.
Serena needs to keep the crowd out of this match
What is up with Serena's serve game?
finally
I think the booing was the culmination of the four bad calls early in the match.
Man, Serena is playing her opponent and 15,000 people. That is just wrong in so many ways.
There were two separate boos - the first was over a point where the crowd booed b/c they felt henin got a raw deal although the umpire was correct
the 2nd time the crowd booed henin b/c she was swearing
Where is Pam Shriver when you need her?
And Serena girl, you just let the crowd really get into this.
She broke herself on the very first point of the game when she didn't whack that swinging volley into the open court.
So they've traded self-breaks and now we're back on serve.
Serena needed to hold on to that break, 'cause she ain't doing nothing on Henin's serve. C'mon 'Rena.
Serena's an absolute mess.
Rough return game, on a pretty unimpressive service game.
she just f gave back the initiative...
wtf
Dax & Karen-
about that point - Justine hit a drop shot that landed on line.... as serena is running for it linesperson calls out, serena hits it - ball lands out.... but linesperson corrected herself so umpire said replay pt....
so crowd & justine thinks justine should get the pt bc serena hit out..... serena thinks she should get pt bc ball called out BEFORE she hit it
as far as i can see... given that the ball was not actually out the umpire made the right call
oh my gosh it's 4-all.... a few moments ago serena was up 4-1
Carlos is telling Henin to toss the ball higher and so that's what she's doing.
Serena is playing her opponent, her opponent's coach and apparently the crowd.
Where was that service game last time, Serena?
ok, what do you guys think? whoever wins the first set wins the match, or do we think we are going 3
C,
If its illegal to coach,on court, whats the procedure to enforce it ?
the umpire surely cant be monitoring that?
Serena still looks a bit nervous..... She's performing well though, considering all the mitigating circumstances
I'm shocked she's not in on Henin's serve games. She's not playing well *t all -- but she's in the fight.
This is where it could get interesting.
Serena, cover the damn serve up the T.
Serena, cover the serve up the T!!!!
Nervy game from Henin
Winning first serve is key for Serena. It will relax her.
first set ReRe
Yaay! 6-4 Serena.... could have been 6-2 but great to hang in there...
This cheating stuff w- Justine really makes it difficult to enjoy watching her play...... she's a marionette
Let's see if Serena can relax now that she has a set under her belt.
I meant to say winning first set is key for 'Rena. But this is going three.
Craig -
I was wondering about the serve myself..... Justine keep serving to the T so why not move over there
b, I was just typing the same thing on twitter.
I'd like to enjoy Henin's game, but she makes it extremely difficult by needing her manipulator to pull her strings.
Unless Henin can calm her service games I see Serena taking this in two.
b, Henin's serve up the T on the big points, especially in the ad court, is about all she can go for with any authority because of her height. Serena should know that by now.
I understand that Justine's second serve is quite powerful and it has a lot of slice on it as well so it moves away from Serena
Now she is under pressure under serve after having 2 break points to go up a break
come on ReRe
Serena's not even grunting -- she's holding back.
Serena keeps letting her hang around. She had that break on her racquet and got too anxious. Now she's down on her serve. I can't take this.
Serena keeps keeping Henin in the tie.
rather poor.
lilac, I prefer a Serena who doesn't grunt. She plays better. But tonight, she's just anxious anxious anxious.
And she just let the crowd back in.
What a sloppy service game serena played..... speechless
Another nervy service game from Henin.
Oh no. Not another WTA break-fest.
You called it lilac.
what do you rate the quality of the game so far?
average imo
Dap, the match is nervy. Which makes it difficult to watch.
Craig, she does seem more self contained w/out the grunting.
Serena certainly has the goods to seize control of this thing and not let up, but she can't get out of her own way right now.
I wish she would just finish this in two so I can get on with my life. I'm dying.
Henin will need a lot of work on her serve to contend for Wimbledon.
Serena needs to stop choking on all these second serve points.
Enough is enough.
Serena, what the fuck was that?
Why the DS Serena, smash the ball already. Dont think I have ever Sasha this animated
Big hold. Would love to see this go to three.
3 would be exquisite for neutrals indeed...
Serena, Henin should not have break points on you.
why is henin so much of the crowd favourite?
Oh man, Serena why, why, why ...
Would love this to go to three, and probably pulling for Justine Henin - as I don't cheer for either player, I'll stick with the underdog. But, I woul rather see Serena win a quality match, than Justine win a break-fest.
Told y'all Henin was in her head.
I can't believe Serena is this casual on her service games.
She won't hit the fucking ball.
Daxpin, she's the underdog. Colonials love the underdog.
What the hell? C'mon Serena.
Serena's dead. can she wake up ffs?
Okay so Justine breaks and Serena stops moving her feet?
Now it's 5-3???
Nervy is correct.....
and the quality is nowhere near the serena-na match
Serena's feet have turned to lead at exactly the wrong time.
Target practice for Henin.
Brain freeze for Serena
Someone please tell me that she is conserving strength for the decider as she seems to be going away. And she loses her serve at love - she made Henin run away with almost 5 straight games. Who wants it more
Is Serena hurt?
final set... let this go to distance!
That is so true about that wild ass double fault. She hasn't won a point since.
lilac said...
Is Serena hurt?
----
always
Hmm, Serena, you have to come out strong in this decider. No messups. Move your feet and get the returns deep to her forehand. She is allowing Henin to step into the court and put her on the backfoot too much and hitting winners at will.
I have no doubt in my mind that a Serena not destroying herself would have won that 2nd set.
I am not listening to the ESPN commentary, neither the AO radio anymore. Just have everything on mute. Best way really
I am not listening to the ESPN commentary, neither the AO radio anymore. Just have everything on mute. Best way really
Serena may be injured, but it's not physical.
Henin's pumped. Crowd is on her side. Serena appears tired. It don't look good y'all. Serena seems strangely demoralized.
Bad start for Serena.
Let's hope the gamemanship toilet break ploy doesn't pay off. Cheating shouldn't be rewarded.
this is disgusting. I feel like throwing up.
Did they just say 5 straight games to Henin?
Serena needs to take the crowd out of RLA. Pretend like she is playing Stosur. The AO commies cannot believe that they are cheering for Henin like this after how she pulled out of her match in 2006.
Henin is painting the lines!
why did you have to torture when you can serve like that?
son of a Williams!
I'm depressed.
Looks like Henin is cooling down a little.
She had her on the ropes, and is letting her back in.
she looks a lot more animated now and looks like she is more engaged in the match - heres hoping that she is fired up enough on her serve - remember ReRe not a break until you hold
BREAK! Please.
this is Choker-rena! strange.
Yeah, Serena can't plant her left leg. She ought to have been off the court already and spared herself all of this nonsense.
She can't control her nerves.
Serena really needs to try and get first serves into play because her second serve is being constantly attacked. She is not pushing off her left leg enough to get power on the serve
Dap, I know this side of Serena too well. When she gets close to a record of one of the legends, in this case Billie Jean King, she chokes.
For all of Serena's misplayes, still poor serving from Henin.
Poor quality tennis.
Now go back to the book, settle yourself and try and get some freaking first serves in, preferably some aces to hold and consolidate the break.
Now y'all can see why I hate this rivalry.
Christopher, they did say it. It is going to be a mental game. Who wants it more. You are looking at 2 of the greatest competitors this sport has ever seen, at least in this era, and they both want it. Serena to tie BJK and to consolidate her position as World No. 1 and to make people forget the USO and Justine because she wants to prove that what Kim did she can do as well.
She's choking. Serena, please, please hold here.
wow that 2nd serve to go up 4-2 was really something..... serena please just pay attention for rest of set
please
Is there a way to measure human nervous quotient ?
Daxpin, break point conversion?
A second break would be sweet!
carrillo keeps saying the same things over and over and over going on about justine's new game.... serena's ranking and inconsistency blah blah
Henin is giving it away here.
Did Serena just change tactics? She's looping the ball deep and high with no pace and Justine can't T off on her shots all of a sudden.
Do I want to watch when she comes out to serve for the match? I think I may go and make coffee. I am so nervous. Butterflies in my stomach
The power kinda wore Henin out -- to keep absorbing it is tough.
yes Craig she is not giving her any pace at all and she is moving the ball around, employing lots of top spin
now I can place my last $$$$ we have Serena the AO champion!
aint no chokign here.
Just serve, Servena. Serve. Bombs. Both serves. No rallies.
Just Curious, who is the blond lady sitting next to Venus?
Serena just ruined all my quotes. Bah!
yaaaaaaay!!!
This should have been No. 13 but there you go. I am crying. I am literally in tears here
Not the best quality final, but she definitely played the best two weeks of tennis.
YAAaAAAAAAAAY!!!!!!!!!!
Serena can harldy walk.
Terrible match.
Extraordinary effort.
chokerRena! nervoursRena. serenaWinner. SerenaWilliams.
what a nervous wretch of a match.
YES!!!!!! COME ON SERENA!!!!!!!!!!!
I really really hope you win all four majors this year!!!!!!!!!! I believe in you!!!!!!
Henin had her opportunities, but didn't capitilize on them. Serena is so good at stepping up on the important points.
I'm watching the match on tv in Australia and I'm just gobsmacked about how biased the commentators and local presenters are here towards Henriguez. I hate commentary.
And what's with the Australian crowd rooting for Henin!?
pompelmo, sorry the injured fat girl rained on your parade.
You gotta participate a little more and then maybe you won't jinx yourself. ;)
wtf are we waiting for ?
I wonder if the other women of the WTA stayed up to watch this match.
Craig, I was going to say "try Wickmayer". That would have been lovely :)
Anyway, congrats to Serena. I am at work and was only able to follow it from the internet.
why do they neglect to mention that margaret court, even more than the grand slam, also has the boxed set (serena is only 2 mixed doubles titles short of this)
I think she actually won one of her slams pregnant......
Most Australian Open titles in Open Era.
"all you guys back there have a lot to cheer for"
HAHAHA classic
Corporate shilling in an acceptcnce speech???
Yes, b, that was classic.
Amanda Coetzer was in Serena's box. She's the blond sitting next to Venus, Toheeb.
THanks Craig, U rock.
They keep mentioning that Justine was in the congo for unicef..... well serena was all over africa, and for longer, and opening at least one school
well i'm pleased with the result -- the match was clearly not her best tennis
@Craig
to add on to your comment
just checked - that record is for either gender ..... agassi is the men's ao open era singles leader w-4
Wowsers... Is Amanda Coetzer working with Serena??
Well going back to bed one satisfied woman. It will be on replay later this morning at which point I will ensure that I now watch with the commentary on so that I can know what ESPN said. Almost every single pundit got this one wrong. So many people chose Clijsters. I think only one person chose Serena to win. 12 times she did it and they still doubt her. Do so at your peril. She did not play her best tennis right throughout the match, neither woman did, but she played her best tennis when it called for it. Congratulations once again. You did good ReRe
Coetzer??!!
Coetzer looked like she was trying to hide a little, especially when Serena called her out.
I wonder why she's there. Her quotes throughout this event lead me to believe she's not that fond of Henin, but I didn't think much of it till now.
You know Serena said something during her trophy acceptance that was really weird. She said that her goal was always to match Billie in number of GS won and now that she has done that she is now going to be focusing on the off court stuff just like Billie. Could we see Serena becoming more of a humanitarian. She has already started her charity work and it looks like she may be going full steam ahead with other stuff. Will be interesting to see what develops.
Serena's been a humanitarian for years now. Clearly, she wants to do more.
I hope that finally reaching her goal will free her up to win more Slams more easily on the court as well.
There's no reason why she can't surpass BJK.
Bob Bryan is looking a little chunkier than usual.
Most of the Adidas players are looking decidedly chunky these days. This Player Development Programme with Gil Reyes is a bunch of baloney. They have taken away the speed and mobility of the players and given them all this muscle mass which inhibits their movement. Ever since people like Fernando, Wozniacki, Ivanovic and others have started going there they have been subjected to injuries to various parts of their bodies, most notably their thigh and leg muscles. It is clear that this sort of intense muscle building regimen is not the way to go for every single player and I am at a loss as to why Adidas considers it healthy for its players.
I can honestly see Serena winning at least 20 Slams in her career. She has so many more left in her. She will be winning Slams well into her 30s if she can stay healthy.
Henin played very aggressive and risky and deserves credit for that. Her serve really let her down. To Serena's credit, she just kept focused and really brought it. Very glad for her with this win. Well done Serena.
Congrats to Serena for finding a way to win! That's 4 slams for her out of the last 6. Federer is trying to match that, and if he pulls it off, 3 out of the 4 will be the same tournaments as Serena (only getting out of sync as Serena won Australian 2009 and Roger won Roland Garros).
But I hope Murray makes it two new slam winners in a row on the men's side. That hasn't happened since Federer and Roddick won Wimbledon and the US Open in 2003.
Also strange and possibly interesting is that Graf won her last in 1999 and Serena won her first two slams later. Agassi won his last slam in 2003 and Federer won his first two slams later. Sort of like handing the baton of greatness along.
Serena was overheard saying after Mary-Jo interviewed her that she needs to find a way to win Roland Garros. OMG this girl has goals people, goals.
Raise your hand if you think that the person who sent a congratulatory text to Serena was Kim Clijsters?
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