Serena needs best to beat brave Ash
SERENA Williams admits only brutal determination allowed her to escape Ash Barty’s French Open clutches as the Australian rued a lost opportunity.
Under siege when trailing by a set and a service break yesterday, Williams, 36, ruthlessly turned back the clock to deny Barty 3-6 6-3 6-4.
In her best performance since winning the Australian Open last year, Williams responded to Barty’s inventive genius the only way she knows how.
“I have definitely always had that will to win. It was something I was born with, thank goodness,” she said.
“This is a grand slam. This is my first one back. I want to do the best that I can.
“I want to be able to, you know, just do my best and one day tell my daughter that I tried my best. When I was out there, that’s all I was just trying to do, is just do that.”
Contesting her first grand slam since the birth of her daughter in September, Williams bludgeoned Barty into the red dust just as the Queenslander threatened to bury her.
In a high-quality clash, Williams blasted 28 winners and nine aces to Barty’s 17 and three.
She high-stepped in delight after driving a backhand winner down the line before warmly complimenting Barty as they shook hands.
Barty, 22 and ranked No.17, was shattered as she walked off court – but need not have been.
“I think when push came to shove, the real Serena came out,” Barty said.
“And that’s one of her best assets is when her back is against the wall, the best comes out. And that happened early in the second, and early in the third again.
“I think any time you get to play a champion like Serena, it’s amazing. And, I mean, I played well.
“I feel like I wasn’t really too much wrong. Like I said, give me half a dozen forehands and 10 more first serves and maybe it’s a different outcome.
Barty was brilliant in the first set and conjured another service break in the opening game of the second.
Having stirred Williams into action, she fought to stay on terms but nothing was going to stop the American.
Chasing a fourth French title, which would draw her level with Margaret Court’s record of 24 singles majors, Williams next plays German Julia Gorges.