Serena eyes slice of history in New York
– Serena Williams, riding an emotional rollercoaster as she adapts to juggling tennis and motherhood, seeks to end 2018 on a high with a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open.
The US great counts six US Open victories among her 23 Slams and with one more would match Australian Margaret Court’s record for most major singles titles.
She could also join Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters as the only mothers to win Grand Slam singles titles, but since an impressive run to the Wimbledon final – where she fell to Angelique Kerber – Williams has endured a lacklustre build-up to the showpiece in Flushing Meadows.
“I’m still at the very beginning, this is a long comeback,” she defiantly told reporters after a second-round loss to Petra Kvitova – winner of five titles this year – in the second round at Cincinnati.
She had shrugged off an even bigger blow two weeks earlier – a 6-1, 6-0 rout by Johanna Konta in San Jose that was the most lopsided defeat of her career.
Williams has been worryingly inconsistent in six tournaments so far this year – including the French Open where she withdrew before the fourth round with a pectoral injury.
“Basically, my whole game needs to improve,” she admits, if she is to avoid her first season since 2011 without a Grand Slam singles title.
World No 1 Simona Halep arrives buoyed not only by her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros but by an impres-
2017: 2016: 2015: 2014: 2013: 2012: 2011: 2010: 2009: 2008:
Sloane Stephens (US) Angelique Kerber (Ger) Flavia Pennetta (Ita) Serena Williams (US) Serena Williams (US) Serena Williams (US) Samantha Stosur (Aus) Kim Clijsters (Bel) Kim Clijsters (Bel) Serena Williams (US) sive hardcourt campaign that included a victory in Montreal followed by a runner-up finish in Cincinnati.
The Romanian has reached six finals this year.
“Now she’s understanding what the problems are, when she gets a little bit emotional how many points in a row she’s losing because of that,” Halep’s coach Darren Cahill said.
World No 2 Caroline Wozniacki arrives amid injury uncertainty, having withdrawn from Washington with a leg injury and then retired with a knee injury from her second-round match in Cincy – where she also played with a shoulder strapped.
Sloane Stephens, the world No 3, will be in unfamiliar territory as she defends her first major title, but a third final in the last five Grand Slams appears to be within her reach.
Kerber will be aiming to expunge the memory of a firstround exit last year.
The Wimbledon champion has reached at least the quarters of each Slam this year and looks again like the player who won two Slams in 2016 – including the US Open. – AFP