[Tennis] Roland Garros : single women final : USA vs Russia

[N_Molson]

Cold war on the central court in Paris this afternoon.

Maria Sharapova (Мари́я Ю́рьевна Шара́пова), Russia, also known as the "Tsarina", 26 years old, 188 cm (!), 59 kilograms, is currently the WTA #2. She won Roland-Garros last year and is defending its title.

Serena Williams, Michigan, USA, 31 years old, 175 cm, 70 kilograms, is one of the most experienced female players of the tournament. She has been nearly invincible this year and is WTA #1. She was in final in Roland Garros 11 years ago (!).

So those are really the best 2 female players of the world, and it's nearly impossible to guess the outcome !

 

[Cosmic Penguin]

Serena Williams won 6-4, 6-4. Not surprising anyway - the Williams sisters seems to be the only ones that can stand at the top of the world tennis world female category for longer periods for the past few years - all the others that reached world no.1 did not stand for very long. Unlike the male no.1 (which alternates between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic recently), the top female players seems to be very close in terms of technique levels.

But no-one can beat the powerful strike of the Williams sisters.

 

[N_Molson]

Yes, but what helped Serena today is that she found back a mobility she had somewhat lost those last years. Good training and physical preparation pays off. Also, she was psychologically stronger and more stable than Maria who sometimes seemed to be overhelmed by her emotions, letting go some points she had the physical and technical abilities to defend. Maria made an excellent match opening, but once the momentum was lost, she never really recovered. Serena stayed cool and steady, taking important points when needed, and playing with an impressive efficiency.

Tomorrow is again a 100% Spanish final. It will be hard for Ferrer to beat Nadal, I think. He has a huge psychological advantage, especially after having beaten "easily" Novak Djokovic. Ferrer won an easy victory again J.W. Tsonga too, but that last one is not a player of the same caliber.

 

[MattBaker]

Does it still count as the Cold War if the russian one left Russia at the age of 7? For the enemy in Florida?:lol:

And Djokovic vs Nadal was unbelievable. Roland Garros always manages to get these great matches lately...

 

[Staiduk]

Though I'm no fan of tennis I've always had a certain liking for Maria Sharapova. Not for her considerable beauty or the sexiness that she markets; but for her playing style. I remember the night I began to admire her. I was in the waiting area at Edmonton International Airport 2 hours early for my midnight flight. The TVs were showing that year's Wimbeldon matches. Sharapova had already gained attention as a model advertising a digital camera (I knew her from that commercial) and other goodies; she's a lovely blonde with a hot body. I'd grown a certain dismissal - based upon the marketing of sexy but extremely mediocre player Anna Kournikova - of women's tennis.
But I was astounded at the match displayed. Sharapova is no mere blonde model; she is a tough, smart and highly passionate player. She displayed all the insane competitiveness I did when I was Airborne; the need to fight, to win - to do anything - health or safety be damned - to win. She lost the match to (as I recall) Jelena Yankovic; but went down fighting in mangificent style; struggling every moment to fight off the Serbian powerhouse - she fought right up until the last serve. She never stopped trying new tactics; new strategies. Time and time again Yankovic was surprised by astonishing hits, impossible saves and sneaky counter-attacks. It was a very impressive display of determination, subtlety, strategy and skill. Sharapova lost the match - Yankovic countered every strategy and trick in her repetoire; barely, in some cases. It was an incredible performance on both womens' part. Though Maria was outplayed she made Yankovic fight for every point. The Serb player was utterly exhausted; barely able to stand after her win and Maria had no need for shame; she'd done the best she could and had simply been outplayed by a superior opponent. She took it hard though; angrily hurling her raquet away as she stalked off the court. THAT is a competitor, IMO. She might be beautiful, curvy and sexy, but she is a fighter; and will not give up until the last whistle sounds. She fought until she could fight no longer. Even when the outcome was no longer in doubt she didn't stop fighting. I admire that far more than mere looks.