ROLAND GARROS, FRANCE
[1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [58] Kiki Bertens (NED)
It’s tough no matter how fit you are to play three consecutive days in a Major without a break. The top half of the draw was penalized and frankly the women’s final should take place on Sunday to give the players a break. It’s really unfair that the top half has had no rest meanwhile the players in the bottom half had days in between and only has to play matches on two consecutive days. Slight injuries can potentially be aggravated and become significant. Williams is playing with an adductor injury and she was struggling to move, not a good sign.
Bertens was also playing with a left calf injury and with no day off to rest, she was really hampered. It was a shame she was injured because she was playing top quality tennis and I would love to have seen the result if both players were completely healthy. Williams took advantage of her opponent’s injury by using the drop shot to physically and mentally wear her down. How will the lack of rest and an injury impact Williams’ chance of defending her title tomorrow? I remember Williams playing at Wimbledon one year with an injury and she won the match, but the next match she lost. Williams won 7-6(7), 6-4 and will have to try to recover for her match against one of the players that has beaten her at Roland Garros. Garbine Muguruza defeated Williams in 2014, 6-2, 6-2.
OTHER SEMIFINAL RESULTS
[1] Novak Djokovic (SRB) defeated [13] Dominic Thiem (AUT) 6-2, 6-1, 6-4
[2] Andy Murray (GBR) defeated defending champion, [3] Stan Wawrinka (SUI), 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2
[4] Garbine Muguruza (ESP) defeated [21] Samantha Stosur (AUS) 6-2, 6-4
My heart goes out to Serena whom I’d really like to see tie Steffie Graf’s record but this final will be a true test of her championship stamina. GL Serena!!
Serena did an amazing job to make it to the finals. She is still a champion. Had she not been injured and had to play continuously for days I believe she would have won.
Agreed! I still feel that the Women’s Final should have been moved to the next day. I recognize that logistically it was improbable; however, playing four consecutive days at a Major, given the added significance if she had won, was too much. This makes the case for a roof, but it’s too late to benefit Serena.
All good points.