Sloane V/s Williams, Day 10

2^nd Set- 3^rd game- Stephens is giving Serena a workout and a perfectly executed lob from Stephens earns her a point as Williams commits an unforced error.  Stephens rushes to the net and executes a neat volley to finish off the point and bag the game.  Stephens now leads 3-2.  I think for most young/ new players on the circuit, that constant jingle of nerves that is like excess baggage.  And it makes the hand heavy and the shoulders frozen while hitting the easiest of forehands or the simplest smash.  At this point, Stephens has loosened a bit, is playing freely and not thinking too much of Serena’s knee slash ankle.  The point is to exploit the weakness. Go for it Stephens! Oh oh, not a good sign for the fans as she hits a backhand into the net and hands Williams the game.  The score is now three games all.

And now we have the first rally of the match, in 4^th game of the third set - 26 shots and Stephens, I guess just needs more experience to play these rallies to win. Aggression + Frustration at deuce from Williams…is a dangerous sign, you can either gain from it as she goes on a full blown rant or forget all about the game, set and match.  My experience tells me that far from derailing Williams, it rattles her opponents while she hammers them into submission.  It could be scary really and Stephens has had her first taste of scary Wills. And so the story goes that Williams breaks Stephens to go up 4-3

The fifth game begins by a good rally and Stephens pockets the point to be up 0-15 but Williams soon levels it.  Williams commits a double fault and the score id now 15-40.  Stephens fritters away one game point by hitting out.  Score is 30-40. Second serve for Serena.  AND Stephens breaks Serena. The Fighting spirit is on and the painted talons are out.  Come on Stephens