Reuters
Melbourne, Jan 29: Serena Williams is on course to match Steffi Graf’s major haul in the Australian Open here Saturday, but German seventh seed Angelique Kerber will be hoping she can prevent the American from emulating her idol while carving her own piece of history.
The 34-year-old World No. 1 is a raging hot favourite to beat the first-time finalist on Rod Laver Arena, a victory that would move the American to 22 Grand Slam singles titles, the same as Graf and a record for the Open era. Australia’s Margaret Court holds the overall record with 24.
Serena could have joined Graf last year itself at the US Open, but Italy’s Roberta vinci destroyed her dreams.
That loss in New York has obviously resonated in her preparations for Melbourne Park, where she has appeared completely focussed since a testing first round clash with Italy’s Camila Giorgi. She has not dropped a set at all and conceded just 17 games since the Giorgi clash and battered the five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 in the quarterfinals and fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0, 6-4 in the semifinals.
“I would say this is probably the best slam I’ve played in a year, and I’ve won a lot in a year,” Serena told reporters here Friday. “Even if I don’t win, I really can take away that I’ve been really consistent and I want to continue that.”
Serena and Kerber have met six times, with the American winning five, though Kerber’s 6-4, 6-4 victory in Cincinnati in 2012 was one she would not forget. “I thought she played unbelievable in that match,” Serena said. “I think from then on out I’ve been really focussed that she’s someone that I, and everyone, have to take very seriously.”
Kerber however, believes that the ‘nothing to lose attitude’ will immensely benefit her. “’Nothing to lose’ means I can go out there and try to play like I’m playing, without pressure,” the 28-year-old said. “I think most will say, ‘okay, Serena will win’. But I don’t have so much pressure like she has. I know I can lose the match. That’s why I’m going out there to try to win it.”
