Sloane Stephens V/s Serena Williams, Day 10

The world’s a stage (aka for the purposes of this blog also known as the Rod Laver arena) and the everyone’s watching the 18 year old Stephens play her role mode Williams.  The smart and witty Stephens had earlier said that she will try to not be star-struck while playing the giant but it will be a distraction nevertheless.

While some fireworks were expected, the match has gotten off to a slow start with both the players holding their serve for the first three games.  All were love games.  In the fourth game, Stephens was the first to make things happens, going for her shots instead of just returning them and as expected, Williams broke her and won the first set 6-3.

There have been no rallies so far.  Williams seems a little lethargic and it seems is forcing Stephens to play to her pace, which is the mark of a good player but makes for poor viewing.  Its almost like Williams is strolling in Melbourne park (I am sure there is one).  The first set lasted 28 minutes and the it is the 28^th minute now with both players level at 3 games each.  You can see the difference in the quality and maturity of the players in their eyes.  Stephens’ look like a fawn, alert, taking in everything, but not yet hardened with endless travel on the tennis circuit and the emotional yo-yo of wins and losses and of course the extraneous static that will manifest should she play to her potential (that phrase belongs to Paul Annacone, Federer’s co-coach). But all credit to Sloane Stephens for making things happen as I mentioned earlier, she is trying to set up points, rushing to the net and it shows in the 4^th game where is up 0-30 and Williams is serving.  And Sloane Stephens breaks Serena in the 4^th game to be up 5-3.  Oh no, Williams is limping,  Is that a cause for concern? She didn’t even move a muscle to return the Stephens’ shot in the earlier game. Her last serve was tame as well. Let’s see.

For now, Stephens is serving, its 30-30.  Serena hits a high backhand and Stephens has all the time in the world to return which she did, leisurely. Oh oh, Stephens is a bundle of nerves, what should have been a set point is not deuce and she double faults to give Serena the advantage. Come on Stephens, buckle up!  From set point, Stephens commits an unforced error  and gives away the game to Williams. Its now 4-5, with Serena serving.  Serena calls for a 3 minute medical timeout.  Whats that? Serena is leaving the court with her physio and Stephens will have to wait.

Just a little over 6 minutes and Serena is back to serve. A gingerly serve but follows it up with a powerful backhand and wins the point.  Sloane Stephens should make the most of the weakned Williams serve (133 kms/ hr).  I think the nerves are doing the talking here.  4 unforced errors out of which the last two were plump forehands hit wide. Williams holds and its 5 games all.

Stephens  serves and hits one more backhand wide of the sidelines. Its 15-15. Stephens rushes to the net and Williams hits a crosscourt forehand that lands out…and Stephens hold her SSSERVE! Yay Stephens way to go!

Serena serving and the score level at deuce, Serena returns a wide backhand and makes an error. Advantage Stephens…………..and Serena commits yet another unforced error, in the net this time and Stephens breaks Serena and wins the second set.

I am taking a break now but will keep you updated!