A 13-month absence has had little impact on the competitiveness of Serena Williams as the former world No.1 battled her way into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
Taking on Dutch player Kiki Bertens, Williams held her nerve to prevail 7-6(5), 7-5. Winning 59% of her service points and hitting 22 winners as well as 34 unforced errors.
“She started out really strong and I was just like ‘I really gotta keep going.’ Doing the best that I can.” Williams said during her on-court interview. “ I’m just so happy to be out here (on the court). Everything is a bonus. It’s just so fun.”
At the start of the match, Williams encountered two problems. Besides the rust in her game, she also had to contend with some spirited play from Bertens. Who illustrated glimmers of the form that took her to the semifinals of the French Open in 2016. During the first set, the 23-time grand slam champion was forced to come back from behind after trailing 1-3 and then 3-5, to draw level.
Despite the threat, Williams had the edge when it came to the mental side of the match. With such little disparity between the two after 12 games, the tiebreaker saw Bertens buckle at a crucial moment. A double fault handed Williams the breakthrough for a 4-2 lead as she went on to seal the opening set. Capitalising on a wild forehand error from her rival on her first set point. Prompting Williams to clench her first in the direction of her entourage in the crowd and leaving Bertens in a state of despair.
.@SerenaWilliams takes the first set over Bertens, 7-6(5)!
Battles back from 3-5 down! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/NvZw2tUIWI
— WTA (@WTA) 11 March 2018
In control of the proceedings, the 36-year-old continued to be tested. Struggling to tame the fighting spirit of her opponent. In what turned into a cat and mouse chase during the second set, Williams kept pressing and falling short. Failing to serve the match out at 5-4. Ultimately, she was helped towards the finish line by Bertens. A sluggish service game from the Dutch player gifted Williams a second chance to serve the match out. Which she did following another mistake from across the court.
.@SerenaWilliams sets @BNPPARIBASOPEN blockbuster vs. @VenusesWilliams!
Knocks out Bertens, 7-6(5), 7-5! #BNPPO18 pic.twitter.com/qu3GTdh12I
— WTA (@WTA) 11 March 2018
Venus awaits
22 years after making her debut at Indian Wells, Williams’ sister and third round opponent Venus illustrated that she still has the ability to challenge the best. Triumphing in a hard-fought 6-3, 6-4, win over Sorana Cirstea during her second round match.
The eighth seed was pushed to her limits by her Romanian rival in an encounter marred by inconsistency. Both players hit more errors than winners with Venus’ tally being 13 to 23. Despite the shaky performance, the power of the American proved too much for Cirstea as she triumphed during the crucial points of the match. Converting six out of her nine break point chances.
Leading the match by a set and 5-3, the world No.8 appeared to be destined for the win. She failed to do so after a nightmare service game allowed Cirstea to break back. Despite the blip, Venus claimed victory in the following game after a Cirstea backhand landed out on match point.
“I definitely felt the love when I walked out here during the introduction. That felt amazing.” She said to the crowd after the match. “Thank you for getting me through my opponent. She played really well and it was looking hairy during that second set. So it’s good to pull it out.”
A two-time semifinalist in Indian Wells, Venus is the oldest player in this year’s draw at the age of 37. It could be argued that she is approaching retirement from the sport, but the American is determined to continue defying the odds as she paid tribute to her father.
“I love being out here, I have a lot to give.” She said. “I don’t think my dad ever wants me to stop playing. It brings him so much joy that I gotta stay out here (on the tour).”
17 years later
Serena will take on her sister in what will be their 28th meeting on the tour since 1998. She currently leads their head-to-head 17-11 and has won their three most recent meetings. The last being in the final of the 2017 Australian Open.
“She’s playing really well and just honing her game. When she’s missing, it’s not by much. Obviously I have to play better than her and see how the match goes.” Venus said about the upcoming clash.
The all-Williams encounter occurs on the 17th anniversary of what triggered their high-profile boycott of the BNP Paribas Open. The controversy occurred during the semifinals of the 2001 tournament when the sisters were scheduled to play each other. Shortly before the clash, Venus withdrew from the match due to tendinitis. At the time Venus was accused of deliberately retiring from the match under the instructions of her father, an accusation that was never proven true. Serena went on win win the title, but was booed by the crowd in what was said to be racially-motivated.
Serena ended her boycott in 2014 and Venus in 2015.
