Thursday, March 28, 2024

Serena Williams Closer to Defending Cincy Title; Sloane Stephens Sent Packing

Serena Williams Coasts, Sloane Stephens Collapses

serena & sloane

*In round of 16 action at the Cincy Open, Serena Williams destroys her over-matched opponent, Karin Knapp of Italy, holding her to just two games won.

The match took only 54 minutes with the defending champion firing on all cylinders. She never faced a break point and served 3 aces during the match.

“I think what worked really well was just composure for me today, getting back in that state of being,” she said of the drubbing.

She’s up against Ana Ivanovic in her quarterfinal.

“Yeah, she’s a fighter. I just saw her match today. It will be a really good match for me and kind of test where I am, you know, just in general. Yeah, so I look forward to that,” she said of the match up.

Sloane Stephens‘ day at the office was a little tougher.

Against Ana Ivanovic, Sloane started strong by taking the first set, but Ivanovic had much to say about that in the second. With both ladies playing at their level in that set, they arrived 4-5, Ivanovic. Sloane’s service game at that point lasted almost 15 minute with a back and forth ad, deuce battle that Sloane finally won to take it to 5-5. It was only a brief reprieve, however, because Ana held her next service game, then broke Stephens for the set. The shift in momentum and resulting dropped set apparently rattled the american, as she lost the next nine games to the Serbian. She managed one last gasp when she was down 5-0, eking out one more game for 5-1, but Ivanovic closed her out on her serve.

Stephens was sent packing 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.  She would’ve met Williams in her quarterfinal.

Novak Djokovic Wanders and Recovers

ATP world no. 1, Novak Djokovic had a slight scare earlier in the day when an inspired Frenchman, David Goffin, stole the second set and 3 starting games of the third with some free swinging that yo-yo Djoker around the court. But after a smashed racquet and guttural personal reprimand, the Serbian righted the ship and reeled off the next 6 games. When the chips are down, champions do what champions do … he closed the match at 6-4, 2-6, 6-3.

Victoria Azarenka Retires

Victoria Azarenka is just about the only player on tour who consistently challenges Serena Williams, though she collapses during the big moments, but she hasn’t been the perfect picture of health throughout her career. In another instance of being betrayed by her body, the 3 time Slam champion had to bow out of her match against Anastasia Pavyluchenkova due to an upper leg injure sustained during play. She had taken the first set 6-1, but felt the effects of the drubbing early in the second and decided not to go on. Just the night before, she had decisively handled Caroline Wozniacki with a bagel in the first, then coming back from being down the 3 opening games of the third to take the match 6-0, 6-4. Now, the Belarusian will have to go nurse her leg and head to New York minus the preparation and ranking points that could’ve positioned her better in the draw at the US Open.

Andy Murray Survives, Rafa Nadal takes a nose dive and Roger Federer Thrives

In late night action at the W&S Open, three of the ATP’s brightest stars were in action in front of records crowds for the tournament. Rafa Nadal, Andy Murray and Roger Federer were all competing in round of 16 action to secure a berth in the quarters.

While Andy Murray was on Court 3 embroiled in a battle that he easily could’ve lost against Grigor Dimitrov, Rafa Nadal was on Center Court going blow for blow with the streaky Feliciano Lopez. And while Murray survived being down the opening set and a couple of games in the third, he called upon his experience to allow Dimitrov to basically beat himself. He narrowly pulled out the win, 4-6, 7-6, 7-5.

No such luck for Rafa Nadal, however, as he took the first set from Lopez, but dropped the second, then couldn’t ward off his inspired compatriot in a third set tiebreaker. It was only his second loss to the his fellow Spaniard out of nine meeting, with losses to players he’s owned in the past besting him more frequently these days as he struggles with confidence. He lost 7-5, 4-6, 6-7.

Roger Federer eased his way into a quarterfinal match against Lopez scheduled for Friday night by beating the towering South African, Kevin Anderson without a bead of sweat. The match took just under and hour, with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-1.

Murray will go on to play Richard Gasquet in his quarterfinal, while Novak Djokovic is set to play Stan Wawrinka, who defeated the Serb in the French Open final.

Also in late night action on Grandstand Court, Romanian Simona Halep continued her quiet run toward the finish line by beating her longtime nemesis, Andrea Petkovic. The win should boost her confidence after losing the Rogers Cup final in Toronto against the surging Belinda Bencic.  She’ll next meet the beneficiary of Azarenka’s withdrawal, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia, in a Friday night quarterfinal.

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