Australian Open Day 13 Preview: Serena Looks to Equal Graf’s Record
(1) Serena Williams (United States) vs. (7) Angelique Kerber (Germany)
Serena was two wins away from history just a few months ago at the U.S. Open. She had a chance at the Calendar Grand Slam and to match Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 Grand Slam titles.
And as we know, that didn’t happen as Serena fell to Roberta Vinci in the semifinals in Flushing Meadows, N.Y. in one of the biggest upsets in tennis history.
Serena did not play much competitively following the U.S. Open, taking a much-needed mental break after dealing with the constant, day-in, day-out pressure of pursuing a Calendar Slam and equaling Graf’s record.
“Physically, I’m feeling a lot better,” said Serena. “And mentally, I needed that break after the U.S. Open. But I didn’t think I’d be doing so much, so fast.”
Her play so far in Melbourne has shown that that break has had such an impact on her, and playing without the pressure, although she never admitted feeling pressure last year, of going after the Calendar Slam has led to a dominating first seven matches, dropping just 26 games in those matches.
Her most impressive performance came last round in the semifinals at Melbourne, when she completely shut down fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska. A locked-in Serena completely dismantled Radwanska’s game, overpowering the Pole in straight sets.
Standing in her way of a 22nd career Grand Slam title is seventh-seeded German Angelique Kerber, who had a little more ominous start to her tournament. Kerber faced a match point in her first round match against Japan’s Misaki Doi, but hasn’t dropped a set since losing the first set in that match.
She dismantled 14th-seeded Victoria Azarenka, who many believed to be the biggest threat to Serena in Melbourne, coming back from 2-5 down in the second set to move past the two-time champion Azarenka in straight sets. Kerber then took out Johanna Konta, who had eliminated Serena’s sister, Venus, in the opening round and became the first British woman to reach the Australian Open semifinal since 1983.
This is the first Grand Slam final of Kerber’s career, and it has been a fantastic run for the German. But Serena looks to be on a mission. While it is a bit obvious, Kerber needs to get off to a good start in this one. If she can hold in her first few service games, the confidence and belief will grow in her and possibly put a little pressure on Serena.
Serena leads the all-time head to head 5-1, and if she improves that to 6-1, she will be tied with Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam singles titles by a woman in the Open Era.
(7) Jamie Murray & Bruno Soares vs. Daniel Nestor & Radek Stepanek
While Andy Murray has to wait another day before he tries to win the Australian Open, his brother, Jamie, will be competing for the Men’s Doubles Championship in Melbourne. Along with Brazil’s Bruno Soares, the duo will take on the duo of Daniel Nestor of Canada & Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic. Nestor is 43-years-old and Stepanek is 37-years-old, and each have previously won an Australian Open men’s doubles title, just with different partners.
For the full schedule of play on Day 13 at the Australian Open, click here.
