Serena continues to win with resiliency
‘Unwell’ star advances to French Open final against Czech Safarova
PARIS — There is no safe zone with Serena Williams. Not when she’s sick, not when she’s misfiring, not for linespeople and umpires, and certainly not for opponents.
The latest to learn this harsh lesson: Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland, until Thursday the Cinderella story of this French Open.
Williams, a 19-time Grand Slam champion, survived yet another scratchy start, trailing for the second time in the tournament by a set and a break before reeling off the final 10 games in a 4-6, 6-3, 6-0 semifinal victory.
“I tried everything. I thought if I lose, I will lose with a fight,” Williams, speaking French, told fans on Court Philippe Chatrier after the match, according to the Associated Press.
The top seed said a few more words before lapsing into a coughing fit, waving and leaving the court. She skipped her postmatch news conference and released a statement saying that she had been “unwell” for a few days and needed to see the tournament doctor.
“I am proud to be back in the final here at Roland Garros, in a city that means so much to me, and I am determined to be 100 percent ready for the final against Lucie (Safarova) on Saturday,” said Williams, 33, who is seeking her third French Open title.
Williams will face No. 13 seed Safarova of the Czech Republic, who defeated 2008 French Open champion and No. 7 seed Ana Ivanovic of Serbia 7-5, 7-5 in Thursday’s earlier semifinal.
Safarova upset defending champion Maria Sharapova in the fourth round and hasn’t dropped a set on her way to her maiden grand slam final.
Moving lethargically and bending over at times to support herself on the butt of her racket, Williams appeared to be toast on a toasty afternoon, the hottest of the tournament with temperatures nearing 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Down a set and a break at 2-3, Williams shifted into another gear. Her big serve and baseline shots began creating more opportunities and Bacsinszky’s defense faltered. Still, Williams remained desultory to the end.
She moved slowly between points. Ballboys kept her neck draped in an ice towel during changeovers. She chugged water. Her face was riddled with signs of distress.
Even when she broke the No. 23 seed for the first time to even the match at 3-3, Williams — one of the most demonstrative players on tour — barely registered it.
Williams finished with eight aces and 37 winners, 29 in the last two sets.
“She pulled out a great match because I think I was playing quite well,” said Bacsinszky, who had never been past the third round at any major.
Williams is now 31-1 in 2015. She improved her record in three-set matches this year to 11-0.
Four of those three-set wins have come in Paris, having dropped the opening set in three of her last four matches, including a third-round tussle with former No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, who like Bacsinszky led by a set and a break before Williams recovered.
Williams has never fashioned so many comebacks in a single major despite her long, record-breaking career.
Late-blooming Safarova, 28, was contesting her second grand slam semifinal in the last 12 months. She reached the last four at 2014 Wimbledon where she fell to compatriot and eventual champion Petra Kvitova.
A slightly built but explosive lefthander, Safarova fell behind 2-5 in the opening set. But soon her inside-out-forehands and deftly angled backhands were finding the corners against former No. 1 Ivanovic.
Safarova reeled off eight of the next nine games, pouncing on short balls from both wings.
“I started today a little slowly but I tried to keep up the level and play really aggressive because it was the only way to win,” said Safarova, who will break into the top 10 for the first time following her result in Paris.
She clinched the match with her 18th forehand winner out of 36 overall, then fell on her back in disbelief.
“It’s a dream come true,” she said oncourt after becoming the first Czech woman to make it to the final at the French Open since Hana Mandlikova in 1981. “I still cannot believe it.”