I dived into predictions for the ladies quarterfinals. My theories about Lisicki continuing her winning streak and Schiavone being the Russian’s krytonite were bunk. The only thing I got right was “don’t bet against a Williams.” Which is hardly an inside tennis prediction.
Random comparison: Safina hit 15 double faults in the Wimbledon quarterfinals and still won. Dr. Ivo hit 55 aces in the first round of the French and still lost. Do with this what you will.
But back to the Williams sisters – the feel good/feel bad story of the tournament. Feel bad if you’re one of their opponents. Feel good if you like tennis played in the stratosphere.
Radwanska on Venus:
“She was serving and, you know, hitting the ball so strong. Her tennis is so powerful. And actually, you know, today she was playing very good, so it was very hard to do anything today.”
Azarenka on Serena:
“She was striking the ball so hard and so good. I mean, she didn’t give me many opportunities, you know. She really showed the unbeatable Serena today, I guess”
Venus on herself:
“Do I feel invincible? I’d like to say yes, but I really do work at it.”
Serena’s ready for a different league :
“Yeah, I’m ready for five‑set matches. On grass it would be fine. I can definitely play five sets.”
Elena Dementieva (Serena’s semifinal opponent) wouldn’t mind the Williams sisters doing their own thing:
Q. People might be expecting an all‑Williams final. Do you think we can have an all‑Russian final instead?
ELENA DEMENTIEVA: Can we play just two finals instead?
Dinara Safina says she likes her chances against Venus in the semis:
“If I play my best and she plays the best, it’s 50/50 who gonna win the match. I don’t think if I play my best tennis and she plays the best tennis that she’s the favorite. I think I still have a chance.“
But does anyone else give Dinara a chance?
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