Wimbledon Day 9: The Winning Logic.

It’s a shame that she stumbled over Virginie Razzano in Paris, because we missed that process in every grand slam tournaments where Serena Williams gradually plays herself into form and self-confidence. She might’ve been messy, disengaged, and left fumbling for her game in the early rounds, but as many champions do, Serena has this ability to rise to the occasion as the tournament enters the quarterfinal and semifinal stage.

Coming into the match, Kvitova was the logical favourite. Despite her mediocre performance in 2012 so far, Petra has sailed through the Wimbledon draw looking fit, focussed and sharp. Serena, on the other hand, was coming off her worst ever grand slam result at Roland Garros, struggled in the early rounds against Zheng Jie and Shvedova.

Logically, Kvitova was in a better position to win.

Logically, Serena was in no form to take out the defending champion.

But of course, Serena Williams has a way of turning logic on its head. Hitting 13 aces, 27 winners, 10 unforced errors, Serena dominated with power, athleticism, and her inimitable serve. A glimpse of the Williams of the pre glass-in-foot incident. If this form continues, it’s “big difficult” to see anyone left in the draw stopping her. Kvitova agrees:

Q.  How difficult is it for anybody to beat her when she’s playing like this?

PETRA KVITOVA:  It is big difficult.

Q.  Impossible?

PETRA KVITOVA:  I can’t say impossible.  She’s human.  Yeah, I think that’s why she’s the great champion, because she knows what she needs to play in the important points.

So I think that it’s really tough to beat her.

Q.  Do you think she’ll win now?

PETRA KVITOVA:  I think so.

Earlier in the day, David Ferrer produced his finest grass court performance, neutralising del Potro’s power and attack with seamless movement and opportunism. Despite the straight sets, it was a clean and high quality match from both. But when Ferrer is  leaking only single digit errors, while bazooking 34 winners in 3 sets, it’s not hard to imagine him he beating just about anyone in the world. 

OOP Wednesday, “America Day” 2012: 

Centre: Federer vs Youzhny, Ferrer vs Murray
Court 1: Djokovic vs Mayer, Tsonga vs Kohlschreiber

Last but not least, compulsory reading of Linz’s excellent take on Gilles Simon’s feministigate.

xx doots

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