My All Time Internet Crush...Serena Williams - Champion UPDATE: Officially Retired?
- Thread starter playahaitian
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PERTH, Australia (AP) — Roger Federer won the bragging rights over fellow tennis great Serena Williams as they faced each other on court for the first time on Tuesday, with Federer spearheading Switzerland's 4-2, 4-3 (3) victory over the United States in a mixed doubles decider at the Hopman Cup.
"I was nervous returning (Williams' serve). People talk about her serve so much and I see why it is such a wonderful serve because you just can't read it," Federer said. "It was great fun. You see how determined and focused she is, and I love that about her."
Federer and playing partner Belinda Bencic overcame Williams and Frances Tiafoe in the Fast4 format as Switzerland beat the U.S. 2-1 in front of a 14,000 capacity crowd.
Federer and Williams shared a good-natured interview afterward and then engaged in a selfie.
"It was so fun. This is super cool that we get to do it at such a pinnacle point of our careers," Williams said. "I was so excited, and literally it was the match of my career. Just playing someone so great, and someone you admire so much, and a match that actually means something."
Federer and Williams, both 37, have won 43 Grand Slam singles titles between them.
Defending champion Switzerland will qualify for Saturday's final if it beats Greece on Thursday in Group B. The United States, which lost to Greece on Monday, can't now advance.
The much-hyped contest quickly lived up to its billing with Federer almost running down Williams' smash into the open court. Williams and Federer served strongly and were unable to return any of each other's serves in the first set.
Federer's sublime touch at the net proved decisive as he moved closer to a record third Hopman Cup title.
Williams grabbed at her right shoulder on several occasions late in the second set but played down any injury concern.
"It was such a quick turnaround, I didn't have enough time to reload the cannon. It's totally normal," she said.
Earlier, Federer beat Tiafoe 6-4, 6-1 in the men's singles before Williams' 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Bencic.
Williams started fast in the women's singles against Bencic — with an early break to storm to a 3-0 lead — before an error-strewn performance ensued as Bencic recovered to win the opener.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion fought back in a tight second set and captured the pivotal break in the 10th game. A flustered Bencic slammed her racket on the court as the match leveled and she never seriously threatened in the decider.
Federer was made to work during a tough first set before overwhelming the 20-year-old Tiafoe and taking control by winning seven straight games.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion needed just 57 minutes to claim his fourth straight victory over the rising American player.
Switzerland swept Britain in its opener when Federer had a masterclass win over British player Cameron Norrie in his opening match. Federer has lost just seven games in his first two matches of the round-robin tournament.
Federer's appearances at the past two Hopman Cups laid the groundwork for successful Australian Open campaigns.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/federer-...ed-doubles-against-serena-112402792--spt.html
"I was nervous returning (Williams' serve). People talk about her serve so much and I see why it is such a wonderful serve because you just can't read it," Federer said. "It was great fun. You see how determined and focused she is, and I love that about her."
Federer and playing partner Belinda Bencic overcame Williams and Frances Tiafoe in the Fast4 format as Switzerland beat the U.S. 2-1 in front of a 14,000 capacity crowd.
Federer and Williams shared a good-natured interview afterward and then engaged in a selfie.
"It was so fun. This is super cool that we get to do it at such a pinnacle point of our careers," Williams said. "I was so excited, and literally it was the match of my career. Just playing someone so great, and someone you admire so much, and a match that actually means something."
Federer and Williams, both 37, have won 43 Grand Slam singles titles between them.
Defending champion Switzerland will qualify for Saturday's final if it beats Greece on Thursday in Group B. The United States, which lost to Greece on Monday, can't now advance.
The much-hyped contest quickly lived up to its billing with Federer almost running down Williams' smash into the open court. Williams and Federer served strongly and were unable to return any of each other's serves in the first set.
Federer's sublime touch at the net proved decisive as he moved closer to a record third Hopman Cup title.
Williams grabbed at her right shoulder on several occasions late in the second set but played down any injury concern.
"It was such a quick turnaround, I didn't have enough time to reload the cannon. It's totally normal," she said.
Earlier, Federer beat Tiafoe 6-4, 6-1 in the men's singles before Williams' 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Bencic.
Williams started fast in the women's singles against Bencic — with an early break to storm to a 3-0 lead — before an error-strewn performance ensued as Bencic recovered to win the opener.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion fought back in a tight second set and captured the pivotal break in the 10th game. A flustered Bencic slammed her racket on the court as the match leveled and she never seriously threatened in the decider.
Federer was made to work during a tough first set before overwhelming the 20-year-old Tiafoe and taking control by winning seven straight games.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion needed just 57 minutes to claim his fourth straight victory over the rising American player.
Switzerland swept Britain in its opener when Federer had a masterclass win over British player Cameron Norrie in his opening match. Federer has lost just seven games in his first two matches of the round-robin tournament.
Federer's appearances at the past two Hopman Cups laid the groundwork for successful Australian Open campaigns.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/federer-...ed-doubles-against-serena-112402792--spt.html
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Co sign 100%
She's all yours bruh. Since she fucked up her face she looks like Leon now. I stopped lusting after her years ago, before she fucked her face up with cheek filler shit it looks like.
This Serena
Now....This Serena
Yeah
She messed up with the surgery
She did something to her nose too
Serena back to US Open final with record in sight
8:33 PM ET
She faced three break points in the opening game and managed to pull it out. She trailed 40-love in the second, then came through again. Another trio of break points arrived later in that initial set. Once more, Williams was up to the task. Soon enough, she was on her way to yet another final at Flushing Meadows -- and yet another shot at Grand Slam title No. 24.
Williams turned in an increasingly impressive performance for a 6-3, 6-1 victory over No. 5-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in their semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night.
"That's why she is who she is. You are playing in front of the best tennis player in the world,'' Svitolina said. "If you don't take it, she just grabs it. And there's no chance to take it back.''
This will be Williams' fourth final in the seven major tournaments since she returned to the tour last season after more than a year away while having a baby. She was the runner-up at Wimbledon each of the past two years, losing to Angelique Kerber in 2018 and to Simona Halep in July. And she was also the runner-up, of course, a year ago at the US Open, losing to Naomi Osaka.
That one in New York was, and forever will be, overshadowed by Williams' extended argument with chair umpire Carlos Ramos, who docked her a point, then a game -- and was barred by the U.S. Tennis Association from officiating any matches her or her older sister, Venus, played in this year's tournament.
Belinda Bencic or No. 15 Bianca Andreescu in Saturday's final, Williams will equal Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, more than anyone else in a sport that dates to the 1800s.
Court, though, won more than half of hers against amateur competition before professionals were allowed to play in majors starting in 1968.
This was Williams' 38th Grand Slam semifinal, just the second for the 24-year-old Svitolina.
Right from the start, though, it was Svitolina who was steadier. She earned those three chances to break from the get-go -- but failed to convert. Then she let the second game slip through her fingers, too. In all, Svitolina held eight game points across that opening pair, and was left with nothing to show for it. Quickly, it was 3-0 for Williams.
"I don't think she played amazing today,'' Svitolina said, "but she played [at a] very high level at the beginning, where you had to make a difference.''
Maria Sharapova in the first round or a 6-1, 6-0 win over Wang Qiang in a 44-minute quarterfinal, it was pretty dialed-in.
She launched serves at up to 119 mph and saved every break point she faced. She smacked three return winners in one game alone. She revved up some of the very best groundstrokes you'll see at angles a pool shark would appreciate, to the tune of a 10-3 edge in points that lasted nine or more strokes. She finished with a 34-11 advantage in winners. She sprinted this way and that, showing no trace of any sort of lingering effect from a rolled ankle earlier in the tournament.
As if for good measure, Williams even threw in a serve-and-volley approach while facing break point in the first set -- and, naturally, it worked, thanks to a swinging putaway.
"Don't expect that again,'' Williams said, joking that this was going through her mind: "What am I doing at the net?! Let me get back to the baseline!'''
Maybe Svitolina, whose one upset of Williams in five previous matchups came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was just a bit too passive, content to say way back and try to chase down everything sent her way.
Wasn't the proper strategy. At least not against this opponent, in this match, on this day.
"On the important moments, she steps up, always steps up,'' Svitolina said, "always brings her best game.''
That's usually the case for Williams, even as her 38th birthday approaches in three weeks. Just hasn't been in the three most significant matches of her return so far: three Grand Slam finals, three losses.
She'll try again Saturday. One more for 24.
8:33 PM ET
- Associated Press
She faced three break points in the opening game and managed to pull it out. She trailed 40-love in the second, then came through again. Another trio of break points arrived later in that initial set. Once more, Williams was up to the task. Soon enough, she was on her way to yet another final at Flushing Meadows -- and yet another shot at Grand Slam title No. 24.
Williams turned in an increasingly impressive performance for a 6-3, 6-1 victory over No. 5-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in their semifinal at Arthur Ashe Stadium on Thursday night.
"That's why she is who she is. You are playing in front of the best tennis player in the world,'' Svitolina said. "If you don't take it, she just grabs it. And there's no chance to take it back.''
This will be Williams' fourth final in the seven major tournaments since she returned to the tour last season after more than a year away while having a baby. She was the runner-up at Wimbledon each of the past two years, losing to Angelique Kerber in 2018 and to Simona Halep in July. And she was also the runner-up, of course, a year ago at the US Open, losing to Naomi Osaka.
That one in New York was, and forever will be, overshadowed by Williams' extended argument with chair umpire Carlos Ramos, who docked her a point, then a game -- and was barred by the U.S. Tennis Association from officiating any matches her or her older sister, Venus, played in this year's tournament.
Belinda Bencic or No. 15 Bianca Andreescu in Saturday's final, Williams will equal Margaret Court with 24 Grand Slam singles titles, more than anyone else in a sport that dates to the 1800s.
Court, though, won more than half of hers against amateur competition before professionals were allowed to play in majors starting in 1968.
This was Williams' 38th Grand Slam semifinal, just the second for the 24-year-old Svitolina.
Right from the start, though, it was Svitolina who was steadier. She earned those three chances to break from the get-go -- but failed to convert. Then she let the second game slip through her fingers, too. In all, Svitolina held eight game points across that opening pair, and was left with nothing to show for it. Quickly, it was 3-0 for Williams.
"I don't think she played amazing today,'' Svitolina said, "but she played [at a] very high level at the beginning, where you had to make a difference.''
Maria Sharapova in the first round or a 6-1, 6-0 win over Wang Qiang in a 44-minute quarterfinal, it was pretty dialed-in.
She launched serves at up to 119 mph and saved every break point she faced. She smacked three return winners in one game alone. She revved up some of the very best groundstrokes you'll see at angles a pool shark would appreciate, to the tune of a 10-3 edge in points that lasted nine or more strokes. She finished with a 34-11 advantage in winners. She sprinted this way and that, showing no trace of any sort of lingering effect from a rolled ankle earlier in the tournament.
As if for good measure, Williams even threw in a serve-and-volley approach while facing break point in the first set -- and, naturally, it worked, thanks to a swinging putaway.
"Don't expect that again,'' Williams said, joking that this was going through her mind: "What am I doing at the net?! Let me get back to the baseline!'''
Maybe Svitolina, whose one upset of Williams in five previous matchups came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, was just a bit too passive, content to say way back and try to chase down everything sent her way.
Wasn't the proper strategy. At least not against this opponent, in this match, on this day.
"On the important moments, she steps up, always steps up,'' Svitolina said, "always brings her best game.''
That's usually the case for Williams, even as her 38th birthday approaches in three weeks. Just hasn't been in the three most significant matches of her return so far: three Grand Slam finals, three losses.
She'll try again Saturday. One more for 24.