|
Serena wins Madrid, retains #1 ranking |
|
Sunday, 12 May 2013 16:45 |
|
 Serena Williams has defeated Maria Sharapova in the finals of the Madrid Open, 6:1, 6:4, claiming her 50th career singles title and retaining the #1 ranking.
Believe it or not, this is Serena's first title on red clay, since winning the French Open in 2002! Serena won this tournament last year, but it was played on the controversially slippery blue claycourts. Serena acknowledged that the switch back to the red clay was a good idea by the organizers, because it allows for better preparation for the French Open. Serena will have one more tournament to prepare for the lone claycourt grandslam, as she will compete at the Internazionali BNL d'Italia in Rome, Italy next week. Venus Williams is also playing in Rome, and could potentially face Serena in the 2nd round!
|
|
|
Serena vs. Sharapova final is set! |
|
Saturday, 11 May 2013 22:00 |
|
It will be Serena Williams vs. Maria Sharapova in the finals of the Madrid Open on Sunday. Serena disposed of Sara Errani in the semifinals today in straight sets - 7:5, 6:2. Sharapova defeated Ana Ivanovic 6:4, 6:3 in her semifinal match.
The winner of Sunday's final will be #1 in the rankings, so Serena must win tomorrow to retain the top spot.
|
|
Serena into quarters at Madrid Open |
|
Thursday, 09 May 2013 22:29 |
|
Serena eased her way into the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open on Thursday, dispatching Russia's Maria Kirilenko in straight sets--6:3, 6:1. She will face Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain tomorrow.
|
|
Serena wins first match in Madrid |
|
Sunday, 05 May 2013 20:24 |
|
Serena won her first match at the Madrid Open, defeating Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan 7-6 (7-5), 6-1. Serena is the defending champion at this tournament, which was played on blue clay last year, but has since returned to the red clay. Serena insists that she still likes the red courts here, stating "I think these clay courts are really good," she said. "I think they're a
little bit faster than the ones I was practicing on in Paris. For me,
that's always a good sign." As defending champion, Serena has a lot of points to defend, and therefore is in a battle to maintain the #1 ranking. Serena will have to go a round further (or win the title) from Sharapova, if she wants to maintain the top ranking. As we all now, though, Serena has no points to defend at the French Open, so more than likely she will retain (or regain) the #1 ranking after the French Open.
|
|
Serena defeats Jankovic to win Family Circle Cup |
|
Written by Jeff
|
|
Sunday, 07 April 2013 23:36 |
|
 It's title #49 for Serena Williams! Today she defeated Jelena Jankovic in three sets--3:6, 6:0, 6:2, to win the Family Circle Cup for the third time, defending her title from last year.
The victory wasn't without some drama, though! In the beginning of the second set, Serena and Jelena had a bit of words with one another, after Jelena had to redo her serve, when serving before Serena was ready. Serena told Jelena she had to wait until she was ready to receive, while Jelena disagreed. The short verbal exchange seemed to get Serena into focus, as she won the first four games of that second set, and eventually the match.
It seemed that both players shrugged off the drama after the match, though, as both ended the match with a friendly handshake and acknowledgement. In her interview, Serena joked that her next claycourt goal is to win a match at this year's French Open :)
|
|
|
