AO 2013 - Quarterfinals - Serena Williams v. Sloane Stephens

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by THUNDERVOLLEY

Surface specialists and/or one dimensional players. Surely, you have seen many clay courters vanish when Wimbledon comes around, or hard court jockeys do their best to lose 1st RD at the FO.

huh? S. Williams lost to V. Razzano in the 1st RD at the FO last year!

[Bertie B]

I'm suspicious!!

This reminds me of the early Venus vs. Serena matches, when Serena used to not try too hard so Venus can move ahead.

Serena has a record of taking one for the team. She's 31 and realizes the sport needs new blood.

Serena mentors this kid, yet here she is too injured to put up a fight...right.

Good win for Sloane.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Relinquis

i don't understand why commentators go on and on with this nonsense about Stephens being Williams' protege. It's not like they train together.

Some of those commentators (i.e. one who's on AO Radio) are actually on the S.Williams payroll--getting paid for working on her website) and ever since her anger meltdown ("ball down your throat") at the U.S. Open have been trying to rehabilitate her image. They know their meal ticket is gonna start losing more and winning less, which means they will make less money from that particular meal ticket, unless they are able to transform her into something she hasn't been in the past.

IOW, what year did the WS start helping out the other women in USA tennis?

[BreakPoint]

Originally Posted by Bertie B

I'm suspicious!!

This reminds me of the early Venus vs. Serena matches, when Serena used to not try too hard so Venus can move ahead.

Serena has a record of taking one for the team. She's 31 and realizes the sport needs new blood.

Serena mentors this kid, yet here she is too injured to put up a fight...right.

Good win for Sloane.

You didn't actually watch the match, did you?

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Bertie B

I'm suspicious!!

This reminds me of the early Venus vs. Serena matches, when Serena used to not try too hard so Venus can move ahead.

Serena has a record of taking one for the team. She's 31 and realizes the sport needs new blood.

Serena mentors this kid, yet here she is too injured to put up a fight...right.

Good win for Sloane.

I'm "suspicious" about the fact that Serena started making it clear to Sloane that she had some sort of injury only in the second set after Sloane broke her. Unfortunately for Sloane, she responded to that show of injury with sympathy and almost failed to secure the set. Not saying serena faked the injury ... only that she started "acting out" only the fhirst time Sloane was about to serve for the second set. Then, on top of that, she took a medical time out before Sloane could serve for the second set. Some people have accused Rafa of the same thing. She would not have done either of those interruptions (not to mention destroying her racket) if she had been trying to throw the match to Sloane.

No. it's pretty obvious that serena wanted to win that match herself.

[BlewByU]

Originally Posted by ChiefAce

Stephens made her play, could handle her serve, and played smart chips on returns and absorbed her power in the rallies.

Well done, the rest of the WTA should take note.

Well summed up sir, very well summed up!

It was known for long long time that Serena is not a complete all-around player.
Serena was good at bullying other opponents who, for some mysterious reasons, all tried to play Serena with Serena's own game which Serena happens to be quite good at.

A truly skilled all-courter would have tamed Serena.
Henin was such a player.
Heck, even Zheng shows us how to handle this incomplete bully.
Its just that skilled all-court players seem out of fashion these days.

Will Stephens develop into 2hbh all-court player who will grace tennis court, entertaining us the very thirsty crowd, for years to come?
Looks that way and certainly hope so.
I am beginning to believe in women's tennis now,,,

Bravo, Stephens. Bravo!
My warmest regards for you darling.
Also my highest regards for your parents who brought you up this magnificent way!
I am sooooooooooo happy for you now.



. . . . .

[THUNDERVOLLEY]

Originally Posted by BreakPoint

You're right. Americans suck on grass. That's why Sampras won 7 Wimbledons. And never mind all the Wimbledons that McEnroe, Connors, Agassi, Ashe, Smith, etc. won.

Pay attention: I'm not the one using it as an excuse--another Amercan (Blake) did use that, and in his era, he is right: not one of the American's of the Blake/Roddick/Fish generation or the Isner/Querry generation has met ultimate success at Wimbledon--meaning won the even (and no, Roddick lucking his way to a finals is not winning. In fact, his lone majors win was where? The hardcourts of the USO) . That is what Blake referred to, so again, you are incorrect.

My point is that no pro tennis player is going to turn down an opportunity to win the calendar Slam. If you said to them, -"Hey, we're going to fast track you right into the final of each of the four Slams." How many would turn that offer down?

If you make excuses why a surface is not to your liking, or you avoid the event altogether, then you will not even consider such an opportunity, because for that kind of player, it is not realistic.

[Masayoshi]

Yes! Way to take out the most unserene Serena, Sloane!

Just watched the replay and was surprised and pleased before starting that the video length was 2:35. Knew that it had to be going 3, but thought for sure Sloane would choke it Almagro-style.

Serena's such a little baby. Notice all the little drama she pulls whenever things don't go her way. The medical timeout at just the crucial moment, right before Sloane serves for the set (which worked, as Sloane completely faltered there). Then the destruction of the racket in the third. And all the dramatic little pauses and self-pitying out there. UGH.

Honestly, Serena seemed like the 19-year old out there, while Sloane seemed like the cool, 31-year old professional.

I love how Sloane said she might put a poster of herself on her wall to replace the poster of Serena. LOL. I bet Serena's fuming about that comment.

The only player I actively root against in either men or women's game goes down to a 19 year old with virtually no big match experience. Awesome!

I think Stephens has the game to be a multiple slam winner - she's remarkably well put together for a 19-year old, and her mental lapses in this match and earlier rounds are things that will get better with experience. Give her 4 years - she'll have at least one by then, maybe more.

Vika will still probably take her in the semis, though.

[kishnabe]

I hate the people on TW who act like they like Sloane just because she beat the player they hate.

Like Sloane for game and character.....not when it suits your needs.

BlewByu......shameless.

[TheNatural]

Good job by the Sloane ranger, good to see the underdog get up. Her timing looked off early and she didn't look to me like the world beater she was hyped up to be, but then she picked up her game after the first set. Good to see her come to net to finish off some points. Serena didn't enjoy having to hit the extra balls that the speedy Sloane made her hit, also Serena's forehand started to get tentative under pressure.

[tudwell]

Originally Posted by TERRASTAR18

you hating off of 1 match where she was injured and still fought till the end.

you mad because she is tougher than your avatar.

I'm not mad. I just enjoy pointing it out when people are overrating Serena, as they always do.

[Fiji]

This was refreshing. Hopefully Sharapova wins the AO but I fear annoying Azarenka might repeat.

Stephens or Li winning would be amazing for the sport.

[Soianka]

Wow, some of you are mad with hatred.

Um, Serena has lost about 2 times in almost a year.

Her 2 closest rivals:

One has only beaten her twice and has not beaten her in EIGHT YEARS

The other has only beaten her ONCE.

Serena had 2 injuries and clearly could not execute her serve (serving in the 70 and 80 MPH) and could not hit as penetrating groundstrokes as she usually does and she still ALMOST won in 3 very close sets.

And some of you are declaring that you knew she was not a complete player.

Wow, as for the race angle, you won't like Stephens terrible much if she starts winning. Right now you are just happy she got the win over the woman who is VASTLY SUPERIOR to everyone else and is undoubtedly (if we are being honest) the best woman who ever played the game.

Serena is amazing. Still is. Will be more motivated than ever at the French. Prepare to be angered.

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by tudwell

I'm not mad. I just enjoy pointing it out when people are overrating Serena, as they always do.

LOL. Wow.

It would be almost impossible to "overrate" Serena.

She is heads and shoulders over EVERYONE ELSE in a very deep field of tough, strong, fit players.

There is no one on tour who can touch her when she is playing even remotely well.

Come back to reality. Please.

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by GhostDog

This. Sloane was impressive, and I'm glad to see another promising African American female player on the rise (I think Madison Keys will be really good as well).

Williams would have won if she wasn't injured.

I'm hope Sloane beats Azarenka, I'll be rooting for her, but I doubt it will happen.

ITA. I think the match with Azarenka will really show us what Sloane is or is not made of.

Right now, I'm not buying the hype.

I think she has potential, but I don't think she is a top 10 beater (unless she is lucky and the opponent is injured, etc) yet.

I was more impressed with Madison Keys' game and attitude.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Soianka

ITA. I think the match with Azarenka will really show us what Sloane is or is not made of.

Right now, I'm not buying the hype.

I think she has potential, but I don't think she is a top 10 beater (unless she is lucky and the opponent is injured, etc) yet.

I was more impressed with Madison Keys' game and attitude.

it's hard to "hype" a 19-year-old who's taken out the world no. 3 in her first grand slam quarter ever.

in brisbane she only beat world no 14 cibulkova

come to think of it ... hasn't sloane beaten every top tenner she's played this year?

give the young lady a chance ... she's only ranked no. 25 herself!

[BlewByU]

Originally Posted by Love Game

it's hard to "hype" a 19-year-old who's taken out the world no. 3 in her first grand slam quarter ever.

in brisbane she only beat world no 14 cibulkova

come to think of it ... hasn't sloane beaten every top tenner she's played this year?

give the young lady a chance ... she's only ranked no. 25 herself!

Voice of reason!

again from LoveGame

My only worry is if some of these posters replied to understand the language of reason...

. . . . .

[Soianka]

Originally Posted by Love Game

it's hard to "hype" a 19-year-old who's taken out the world no. 3 in her first grand slam quarter ever.

in brisbane she only beat world no 14 cibulkova

come to think of it ... hasn't sloane beaten every top tenner she's played this year?

give the young lady a chance ... she's only ranked no. 25 herself!

The hype is that she was a real threat to Serena.

Even an injured and severely hampered Serena nearly won the match.

Had Serena been serving anywhere close to how she normally does, it would have been a 2 set relatively routine win for Serena.

If Azarenka and Sharapova are not real threats to Serena and they are not, certainly Sloane is not one either at this point.

If the hype is true, Sloane will beat Azarenka or at least play a very good match tonight. We will see.

I have a feeling though that Azarenka is going to beat Sloane very soundly maybe even giving her a bagel.

[Towser83]

What a great result! And finally a final of some interest. Good result whoever wins. Thank you Sloane for preventing another foregone conclusion final. even if injury played a part. I like Sloane, at first i thought she was a bit cocky but i think its her sense of humour. like that business about saying serena was disrespectful - i actually do think she was joking around a bit.

[Love Game]

Originally Posted by Soianka

The hype is that she was a real threat to Serena.

Even an injured and severely hampered Serena nearly won the match.

Had Serena been serving anywhere close to how she normally does, it would have been a 2 set relatively routine win for Serena.

If Azarenka and Sharapova are not real threats to Serena and they are not, certainly Sloane is not one either at this point.

If the hype is true, Sloane will beat Azarenka or at least play a very good match tonight. We will see.

I have a feeling though that Azarenka is going to beat Sloane very soundly maybe even giving her a bagel.

I don't understand your point.
The REALITY is that Sloane actually beat Serena.
Doesnt matter it was on a day that Serena wasn't 100%.
Serena has beaten plenty on days when she wasn't 100%.
But she wasn't up to snuff physically on Day 11 of the AO 2013.
Fitness is all part of the win/loss cycle.
If every 30+ veteran only played on days when they were 100%,
then the "changing of the guard" would take 20 years, instead of just 15.

As far as the whooping crane azarenka giving sloane a bagel ...
THAT will not become "reality," I predict!