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Serena Williams showed no mercy against Dominika Cibulkova, defeating her in straight sets 6-0, 7-5. Williams came out and quietly went about her business of dismantling Cibulkova’s game and making her look like a novice. After just 12 minutes Serena had worked her way in a 4-0 lead, creating incredible angles, and returning the ball as fast, if not faster, than the speed at which it was served. The set was over in 18 minutes with Serena winning 100% of points when her first serve was in.
After running away with the first set Williams continued to serve incredibly well, with 75% of her serves being un-returnable. The crowd cheered loudly when Cibulkova finally got back on the board at on all in the second set. Once Cibulkova got used to absorbing the pace off the Williams racket, Serena had to start working a little harder as Dominika managed to get into a few games, even serving an ace.
Dominika was in trouble in the eight game before producing and incredible forehand passing shot with Serena smothering the next – an extremely difficult person to pass. As the match became more competitive Serena started grunting, willing her balls in. Cibulkova managed to fend off one break point and level the score at 5-5. When Williams got another match point, she mad no mistake about it but seemed irritated with herself and unimpressed with the win.
Over the years Serena has showed a skill that is only exceeded by Roger Federer’s… the ability to peak for the Grand Slams. Serena has, for some time now, shown little interest in smaller tournament instead enjoying life off the court or trying different things in weekly play. Not only does this attitude preserve her body and aid her longegivity in the game, it gives her what she wants most, the chance to accumulate as many Grand Slam titles as humanly possibly.
Serena is peaking at just the right time once again, dominating all those who come in her path on her quest to defend her Wimbledon title.
Serena will likely face Maria Sharapova next.
Serena is also playing in the doubles with Venus, attempting to defend their title from last year as well as take a step towards a calender year Grand Slam in doubles. The sisters are the current title holders in the women’s doubles for Wimbledon (2009), USO (2009), Australian Open (2010), Roland Garros (2010).
It’s no secret that there is an “eye candy” component to tennis as a sport. By that we mean that there are plenty of players that even non-fans of the actual game will tune in to check out.
