Cincinnati Final: Serena v Azarenka
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Sundaymorningguy
Grand Slam Champion
Serena comes up short in Cinci again. This is just not her tournament. But in summary I will say it appears Vika has learned from the failure at the USO last year. IMO, Serena on the other hand has not learned from the Sabine match. She had all kinds of opportunities in this match and she took her foot of the gas each time resulting in sloppy play, errors and more aggression from her opponent.
Sundaymorningguy
Grand Slam Champion
Well it helps if she can hold serve which was her biggest problem. She couldn't hold serve when it mattered most.
Vika stepped it up, Serena played that last set totally with lack of energy or urgency. That being said, if this were the Open final, I'd still take Serena.
Interesting fact, Cincinnati was also Serena fourth loss last year, and this is her fourth loss this year.....omen??
Interesting fact, Cincinnati was also Serena fourth loss last year, and this is her fourth loss this year.....omen??
That was my point Sunday. She didn't hold serve against Sabine either and it landed the same result. I mean she has to know by now that Vika isn't going away. She can't give her that many looks at getting a win.
Sundaymorningguy
Grand Slam Champion
Well Serena for whatever reason has stopped trying to consistently run her opponents instead they are running her. She has to stop this ASAP! This isn't clay anymore! Flatten those shots more. She certainly didn't make Vika pay as much as she should have with her weak serve. Serena has a week of rest, so that should help her going into the Open. Strong motivation to do well at the Open after being this close to another title. Granted if it is that ugly vase they have for a trophy Serena might not want to win this tournament.
I don't buy that she didn't want to win. I just think she thought the win would fall in her lap and she wouldn't have to work hard for it. That's just not the case. That's not Cirstea she was playing out there today. This girl has won slams, been #1 and has wins over her this year. Now Vika has defeated her in 2 finals and the last thing Serena needed was to feed Vika's confidence going into the Open.
Sundaymorningguy
Grand Slam Champion
I think Serena realizes her mistakes far more than we think she does, and I am not saying she didn't want to win this tournament of course she did. She has to get her serve back in sync that is where her confidence in her game lies, and it hasn't been there since her Wimbledon loss. It has been very hit or miss. Having said that, confident Vika or no, Serena will go into the open motivated. Last opportunity to pick up another slam. While Vika has two wins over Serena this year, they weren't easily accomplished wins over her. I don't think Serena is going to worry until Vika beats her 6-1, 6-1. The intangibles still fall in Serena's favor there.
Serena looked exhausted...its been a long fabulous season so far.I wanted her to skip Cinci because she never wins there,she had chances to win but exhaustion took over....8 titles is no joke and a final in Cincy is good result....this match was on Serena s racket.. period.
BS... but if she loses in US Open we'll hear about abdominal strain, tired....or something. If she's tired, shorten the schedule. its a mad rush to pile up as many points and money as she can while she can.
and anyone could see that she looked exhausted....Congrats to Vika and commies to Serena. It was a good match for both players and I am sure each learned something from it. IMO it will be a toss-up if they meet once again in the USO final. Vika knows that she has beaten Serena twice in finals this year. Serena has learned that she is getting tight in close matches, especially when she has the lead. Can't wait for tournament to start.
the AntiPusher
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kskate2 said:
Good post, Very accurate, Rena took her foot off the gas and Vika stepped up to seize the title. No worries.. Congrats to Vika:clap and also to Serena for winning the US Open series:clap.. Now onward to NYC to defend her crown.
honey1269 said:
The Ab injury is real. Shriver mentioned that Serena's serve speed avg was
10 to 15 mph lower than last week in Toronto. One ace was clocked at 99mph
last week she tied the record. Until they said something yesterday I was
wondering why her serve wasn't as effective as usual. I just hope it heals in time
for the open. She should have won this match. Vichka also played a very good
match. She hasn't played that well in a good while. If they both make it to the
open final it should be a very good match.
