FLUSHING MEADOWS, NY – Now that the epic match between Sloane Stephens and Serena Williams ended in a whimper, the question needs to be asked:
Can Serena be beat?
Seriously, the 6-4 6-1 Serena win wasn’t lost by Stephens, rather won by Williams. It was well played by both sides and Serena was just a little better.
“I definitely think it was a high‑quality match,” Williams said. “I don’t think either of us had an overwhelming amount of unforced errors. But I think, you know, we both came out today to play.”
Serena plays Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the Quarterfinals on Tuesday, who beat the No. 8 seed Angelique Kerber today.
Assuming she can beat her, Serena will be playing No. 3 seed Agnieszka Radwanska or No. 5 seed Li Na, both a very beatable to get to the finals.
Sure you still have Victoria Azarenka in the women’s side, but if they meet in the Finals, you have to think the odds favor Serena.
And remember No. 4 seed Sara Errani, No. 6 Caroline Wozniacki, No. 7 Petra Kvitova, and No. 8 Kerber are now gone.
But at age 31, when most players start slowing down, why is Serena getting better.
Well, she is working to be more on her game.
“I think more than anything I would say, you know, just consistency and getting up for every match,” she said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a Grand Slam or if it’s a small tournament, just really wanting it. Just to do that, knowing that I can do that.
“I just want to play tennis and I want to do really good at it. It’s not about the stage for me; it’s just about getting that ball in.”
So then the question needs to be asked. Is Serena the greatest?
Not so, says Williams.
“I don’t think so. I think still right now, I go by numbers,” she said. “I don’t think I’m the greatest because Steffi [Graff] has way more Grand Slams than me. I just go by what’s written down.”
Graff has 22 vs. Serena’s 16 titles, but at the same time Serena does have another 13 doubles titles.
But on the singles end, she does have a ways to go and there’s no better time than next Sunday with No. 17.
And that’s because Serena seems to be the best that’s left in the 2013 Open.
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