2021 AUSTRALIAN OPEN: Melbourne, Australia
It’s true, you can never predict what Serena Williams will do. Just when you have written her off as a contender, she pulls a stunt like this. Good for her; however, can she get by the younger version of herself? [3] Naomi Osaka (JPN) is playing like the champion she is and finding ways to win, even when she is not playing her best.
Serena Playing Inspired Tennis
What is inspiring Serena and is it enough? This major, her attitude seems different from previous majors. Could it be that she has finally remembered how to play fearless tennis? Whatever the cause, I am excited to see her playing this well. Despite the fact that many of us have written her off as a contender for this title, Williams is proving us wrong.
When Will The Nerves Show Up?
Unfortunately, she has been here before, too many times for her liking. Can she leave the memories in the past and focus on the present? Serena has to know and believe without a doubt that she can do this if she wants to get by Osaka. Osaka is not doubting herself; she is trusting in her game and it’s paying dividends. As fans, we hope that both players will bring their best tennis and may the better player win.
Simona Halep Gave It Her Best
They traded breaks early in the first set; yet Williams was fully engaged and broke in the sixth game to win the set. Halep took the early break lead in the second set; however, like the first set, the lead was short-lived. Nevertheless, Halep would immediately break again to go up 3-1. That’s when Williams upped her game and Halep did not win another game. Williams won 6-3, 6-3.
Embed from Getty ImagesMuch Easier Win For Osaka
We expected a challenge, after all, [71] Su-Wei Hsieh has challenged Osaka before, but not this time. Perhaps fatigue was the cause because Hsieh had nothing to hurt her opponent today. The Japanese player was brutally efficient, winning 6-2, 6-2 to set up the much-anticipated re-match with Williams.
