Serena Williams Wins in Rome for the 4th Time to End a 9-Month Title Drought - UBITENNIS

Serena Williams Wins in Rome for the 4th Time to End a 9-Month Title Drought

Serena Williams beat Madison Keys in straight sets in a historical all-American final in Rome to conquer her first WTA title since August last year, when she was crown champion in Cincinnati. The World No.1 is now the favorite approaching the French Open.

By Ivan Pasquariello
7 Min Read

She had to wait 9 months, lose her grip on ultimate history in front of her home crowd in New York, lose a Grand Slam final when she had the chance to tie Steffi Graf in the all-time open era record of 22 majors, but then Serena Williams has finally ended her title drought winning her 4th championship at the Italian Open. The World No.1 won her 70th WTA title on Sunday in Rome, beating Madison Keys in the final in straight sets, with the final score of 7-6(5) 6-3. With a 4th crown in Rome, Serena joins Conchita Martinez and Gabriela Sabatini in the list for more titles conquered in the eternal city (Chris Evert holds the all-time record with 5 wins).

Serena Williams and Madison Keys were meeting for a career third time on Sunday in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia 2016, in the first all-American final in Rome since 1970. With Serena leading the series 2-0, thanks to the wins conquered in 2015 at the Australian Open and US Open, the World No.1 was the clear favorite to win the match. Playing in her 4th Rome’s final, seeking a 4th title, Serena for the first time since 1998 arrived at the last act of the Italian Open without having won a title prior in the season. News of 2016 seems that the World No.1 has become fragile in finals, losing to Kerber at the Australian Open and to Azarenka in Indian Wells, both times starting the final clash as the favorite to win the title. In Rome, it seemed the new tendency for Serena would continueย as soon as the match kicked off.

Keys started the match on a roll. With Serena serving in the first game, Madison got three break point chances and managed to break serve. The World No.24 then held serve and built a 2-0 lead early on. Serena responded getting on the scoreboard holding serve to 15 as Keys pushed a backhand long.

Madison managed to move Serena around the court pushing with her forehand. Williams rather rusty on her right side wasn’t conquering the rallies as seen against Kuznetsova in the quarters or Begu in the semifinals. Playing superb tennis on her service games, Madison keep the lead, up 3-1 in the set. Serving at 3-2, Keys had 2 game points, but surprisingly hit two double faults in a row. A forehand that seemed having caught the line was then judge out for Keys, who ended up getting broken with a forehand completely missed in the corridor. As the young American gave the game away, Serena hit back at 3-3.

As the quality of the match dropped a bit, with both players missing more than firing winners, Serena held serve to take the lead for the first time in the match, up 4-3. Keys responded holding at 30 to set the score tied at 4-4. Serena was challenged in the 9th game, but managed to hold serve at 30, closing with an ace to lead 5-4.

Serving to stay in the set, Keys showed all the progresses she has made in the past two years. Madison held serve firing two forehand winners, to tie the score at 5-5. Keys was called to serve to stay in the set a second time, down 5-6, and starting by hitting a double fault. Madison recovered quickly, helped by Serena’s lack of consistency. The set was to be decided by a tie-break.

The first three points in the tie-break went against serve, then Serena was the first to win a point with a first serve, to take a 3-1 lead. Keys won the best point of the set with a stunning forehand down the line winner, then managed to get back in the tie-break at 5-5. Serena followed with a forehand cross court too good for Keys to put back on court. Williams was the first player to see a set point at 6-5. Serena played a superb first serve on which Keys couldn’t return on court, conquering the tie-break and the first set 7-6(5).

Serena started the second set breaking Keys’ serve, thanks to a stunning recovery from a drop volley played by Madison.

Swinging free, Serena held serve quickly to lead 2-0. Williams continued to hold her grip on the match, forcing Keys to something more to win the points. The World No.1 broke again in the third game, as Madison missed a forehand in the corridor, building a 3-0 double-break lead.

Williams followed with a terrible performance on her serve, including a double fault and easy unforced errors in the net, to allow Keys with the break and on the scoreboard at 1-3. Madison held serve quickly after, setting the score at 3-2 for Williams.

The World No.1 regained her focus and finished the 6th game with an ace, to confirm the break and lead 4-2. Frustrated with her inability to take her chances, Keys let the 7th game slip away quickly, as Serena broke to 15 to grant herself a chance to serve for the match up 5-2.

Keys played a superb returning game, breaking Williams when serving for the match, to trail back 3-5. Serena reacted played aggressive in the 9th game, seeing a first match point opportunity after moving Keys around the court forcing with her forehand. On her first championship point Serena fired a deep backhand cross court return on which Keys hit a force error, pushing her backhand long.

A warm encounter at the net followed, where Serena congratulated her opponent saying ”I am so proud of you, You are going to get to World No.1”.

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