WIMBLEDON: Serena Williams has insisted that her journey into the quarter-finals of the Wimbledon Championships has been a lot harder than the scoreline suggests.
The 11th seed required just over an hour to dispose of Spain’s Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-2, in her fourth round match. Extending her perfect record against the world No.31 to 7-0. It was by no means the best performance from the American, who won less than 50% of her second service points and hit 19 unforced errors alongside her 21 winners. Nevertheless, she still had all the weapons to dismiss Suarez Navarro with relative ease.
“The rust is definitely wearing off.” Said Williams. “Most of all I feel confident that I can actually move and I don’t have to go for winners so soon because I’m in pain.”
“Now I can just play my game, hit shots, not have to worry about anything else. It’s good when your mind is clear and you can just play.”
During what has been a turbulent season for Williams, the stars are starting to align for the former world No.1. Earlier in the year, she has been hampered by issues with both her knee and ankle. Restricting her schedule to just five tournaments before Wimbledon. Her latest win is the 13th of the season.
Aiming to finally equal Margaret Court’s all-time record of 23 grand slam titles at Wimbledon, the 37-year-old admits that she is far from guaranteed to win. Since the birth of her daughter, she has had to settle for runner-up twice in the majors. Including last year’s Wimbledon tournament.
“I definitely feel like I’m getting better and better day by day. But, every match is still super hard.” Williams explains.
“Even today I won a lot of points. It wasn’t like your average 6-2, 6-2 score. Wasn’t too many 40-Love games at all actually.’
“I think everyone is also getting better. As the tournament goes on, that’s when the better players are surviving.”
Alison Riske is the next challenge for Williams. Somebody who she has never played on the tour, but did team up with during a Fed Cup tie in 2015. Riske has won 14 out of 15 matches played on the grass so far in 2019. Claiming an ITF title in Surbiton and a WTA title in Rosmalen.
“She’s a fighter on the court. She’s playing really great, especially on the grass. She’s attacking that ball really well. She doesn’t let anything limit her.” Williams commented about her next rival.
Tuesday will be the 14th time Williams has contested a Wimbledon quarter-final in her career.
