Williams underlines why she is favourite for victory
Williams is already considered by many as the greatest female player ever, yet will not be satisfied herself until she has levelled - and then overtaken - Australian Margaret Court's total of all-time Grand Slam singles titles. Following the difficult birth of daughter Olympia two years ago which almost cost Williams her life, she has reached consecutive Wimbledon finals - plus last year's controversial US Open showpiece against Naomi Osaka - without capping what has already been a remarkable comeback with another major win. For Williams to not go on and win a seventh US Open title - an Open era record in the women's singles - would be a major shock on the evidence of her performances over the past two weeks. Free of the knee injury which bothered her earlier this year, she is looking as sharp, powerful and clinical as she has in a long time. That was illustrated by the ease with which she swatted aside Svitolina, the highest ranked player to reach the last eight at Flushing Meadows and competing in her second successive Grand Slam semi-final. The 24-year-old Ukrainian has one of the most impenetrable returning games on the WTA Tour, yet even she could not keep Williams at bay. After a slow start where Svitolina could conceivably have led 2-0, it was the American who broke at the first attempt and from that point it was all one-way traffic. Williams found her range quickly and dominated with her powerful, precise hitting which resulted in 33 winners in a match which lasted only one hour and 10 minutes. "The first two games were long games and I know how she can play - she is a good player," Williams said. "I wanted to not get off to a slow start and I wanted to hang in there." Svitolina was expected to provide a tougher test for Williams after clinically dispatching British number one Johanna Konta in their quarter-final on Wednesday. With her fleet of foot and ability to return, she would have been hoping to withstand everything fired by Williams and then outlast her older opponent. But even she could not cope with the pummelling produced by the American. Svitolina's inability to take any of six break points in the early part of the first set proved terminal to her hopes. Helped by three unforced errors from Williams in the opening game, Svitolina created three break points which she could not convert and then saw her illustrious opponent fight back from a 0-40 deficit to break for a 2-0 lead after a hard-fought 15 minutes. Another 0-40 lead disappeared as Williams held for a 4-1 lead and from that point Svitolina's confidence sapped, along with her ability to push her opponent. "I just wish I could have taken those opportunities," said Svitolina, who won the season-ending WTA Tour Finals last year. "It could be maybe a 2-2 or 3-3 instead of 0-3, which allows you to push to play more freely." In the second set she was not able to touch Williams's serve, winning just three receiving points. "She has unbelievable strength. She gives lots of power," Svitolina said. "There's lots of power behind her shots all the time. That's what makes her an unbelievable, legendary tennis player."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
President Akufo-Addo extends Easter Greetings to Ghanaians, urges safe drive
23 mins -
Government pushes for use of more local materials in housing, other infrastructure projects
55 mins -
Dr Bawumia extends Easter greetings to Christians
1 hour -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘Ghanaians should expect victory against Stade Malien’ – Dreams FC forward Ishmael Dede
2 hours -
CAF Confederation Cup: ‘We want to go there and win’ – Karim Zito on Stade Malian clash
2 hours -
Togbe Adzie Lãkle Howusu XII endorses youth leadership as New Force Movement gains momentum
3 hours -
Public Utility Workers Union appeals to PURC to address power crisis
3 hours -
Anbariya loses another appeal in Kumasi as Appeal Court ratifies High Court ruling against the Islamic Institute
3 hours -
Highway construction health hazard: Ofankor-Pokuase-Nsawam residents appeal for dust relief
3 hours -
SuperJazzClub releases its first single of the year ‘Off’
3 hours -
Methodist Church to lobby Akufo-Addo for expedited assent to anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
3 hours -
Spare health facilities from unplanned ‘dumsor’ – Minority to government
4 hours -
Eritrea Observed World Tuberculosis (TB) Day 2024
4 hours -
Just give us ‘dumsor’ timetable to plan our operations – GMA tells ECG
4 hours -
Parliament petitions Chief Justice for an expedited hearing of cases against anti-LGBTQI+ Bill
4 hours