Serena Williams recorded her fifth Wimdbledon Ladies’
Singles title earlier this afternoon, defeating Agnieszka Radwańska
in a great display of skill and power. The match itself was far closer than at
one stage it looked like it was going to be. From a set and a break up, Serena
dropped two service games as Radwańska took the match into a third set.
But Serena managed to pull through in the final set, in the end winning it
convincingly. The match ended in Serena’s favour 6-1, 5-7, 6-2.
The parallels between this match-up and tomorrow’s Gentlemen’s
singles final between Roger Federer and Andy Murray should act as a warning to
Murray about what he should expect, but it should also give him some hope. Serena and Federer have been the greatest
players of their generation, perhaps no longer at their peak but still a force
to be reckoned with. On paper, the
Ladies’ final looked like a close one. Despite being in her first Grand
Slam final, Radwańska, world number three, went into the match ranked three
places above Serena in the world rankings. The Pole’s semi-final victory over German
Angelique Kerber was an impressive display and demonstrated the true scope of
her ability. Until May, only world number one Victoria Azarenka had beaten Radwańska
in 2012.
Unfortunately for Radwańska, she did not count on the
destructive power of Serena. Admittedly the one-sided first set was as much
down to Radwańska’s disappointing display as Serena’s domination. The subsequent
rain break came at a good time for the Pole, who came out fighting in the
second set. She finally demonstrated the flashes of brilliance of which the
female tennis world knows she is capable. The cheers of the crowd when Radwańska
broke Serena in the eighth game of the second set, tying that set at 4-4, were
nothing short of uplifting. Perhaps tellingly, the greater cheer came at the
end of the next game. Radwańska won four straight points from 0-30
to hold serve. It felt like Serena would inevitably break back straight away,
but she couldn’t. And then when Radwańska managed another break, against all
odds she had levelled the match at one set each.
Sadly, the improvement could not last. From 2-2 in the
third, Serena powered through thanks to the potent serving that has become her
trademark and with two breaks of serve took the victory. The emotion shown by
Serena at the end demonstrated how much the victory meant to her. It was her
first victory in two years at a Grand Slam, coming after significant health
problems which had put her career at threat. Her victory means she has now tied
with her sister Venus on five Wimbledon Singles titles.
So what can Andy Murray learn from this match? Of course he
comes into the match ranked one place below Federer, though should Federer win
he would recapture the world number one position. The Swiss goes into the match
in a similar Grand Slam drought to Serena, having not won since the Australian
Open of 2010. For most tennis players this could hardly be called a drought,
but for two of the best ever in the game, particularly for Federer who has seen
his dominance eclipsed by the younger pairing of Rafael Nadal and Novak
Djokovic, this is longer than they would like to go without a Grand Slam. The
hunger which Serena clearly showed in her victory will be replicated in equal
measure by Roger Federer on Sunday.
Murray will have to watch out. The Scot has Grand Slam final
experience, which Radwańska had lacked before today’s encounter. Yet his
experience, twice having lost to Federer at the US Open and Australian Open, and once to Djokovic in
Australia, will be of little comfort. Overall, the maxim that form is temporary
but class is permanent has never been more appropriate than for the efforts of
Serena and Federer at this tournament. Roger will be eager to recapture the
world number one ranking, which would help him surpass Pete Sampras for most
weeks at number one all time, as well as re-establish the dominance at
Wimbledon which saw him win five consecutive titles from 2003 to 2007 and a
sixth in 2009.
But Murray can take some positives. Serena was highly favoured
but was outplayed by Radwańska in the second set. The Pole was also playing through
illness which seemed to affect her early on, and meant she did not have the
stamina to compete in the final set. Murray has no such concern. He actually
has a winning record against Federer overall despite the two Grand Slam final
defeats. In a five set match, Murray has more leeway with regards the time he
has to get into the match. Radwańska’s best hope, considering her
illness, was to get ahead early, which she could not do. Murray can afford to
start slow, as if he can recreate the performance of his fellow underdog in the
Ladies’ final, he has a far better chance of making it stick.
Finally, he will have the crowd on his side. Radwańska
experienced this in the second set, receiving support in appreciation of her
earlier travails. Serena, like Federer, is a popular figure at Wimbledon,
appreciated as a consummate professional. But the British crowd love an
underdog. The masses in Centre Court will, without doubt, be right behind
Murray despite the unquestionable respect they have for Roger. This could be
his trump card.
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