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| If the math goes to form, the second seeded Williams should be on track for her fourth Australian crown, having won the titles in 2003, 2005 and 2007. She loves this tournament and although she's walked away disappointed at times, it's also been the site of some of her greatest performances, including her thrilling three set win over her sister, Venus, in '03 and her stomping of archrival Maria Sharapova in the '07 final. She’s just one step away from Australian title No. 4, as well as a strongly desired 10th Slam title, so don’t expect her to go away quietly. | The tall and strong Russian had a tremendous May through September 2008 stretch, winning four titles and reaching the French Open and Olympics finals. The question for the ultra powerful 22-year-old is not how much she wants it – she doesn’t quit on herself anymore – but whether she can overcome her nerves deep in tournaments. So far, she’s only shown that ability outside of the major’s final rounds. It's up to Safina to prove that she can go one better. | |
| Serena left Sydney disappointed after being bounced out of the semifinals by Elena Dementieva, but she did get a lot of work in fighting off match points against Samantha Stosur and Caroline Wozniacki in three-set victories. She needed the match play and got plenty of it. Here, Serena hasn’t performed at her best yet, which was clear in the first set of her win over Victoria Azarenka, who grabbed the set from Serena, out-hitting her from the backcourt before she retired sick. Svetlana Kuznetsova also outplayed Williams until 5-3 in the second set when, with her back firmly against the wall, Serena rediscovered her ethereal form and won 10 out of the next 11 games. She then out-ran and out-thought the red hot Elena Dementieva, who had beaten her three times in a row coming into their match. | Some decent play at the Hopman Cup was followed up by much better form in Sydney, where she went down to Elena Dementieva in the final. After that loss, she called herself, “stupid.” Here, she played smarter and more aggressively against Elena Makarova and Kaia Kanepi but then, after fighting off two match points against Alize Cornet, took herself to task, saying that she played stupidly and not nearly aggressive enough. But she was ferocious when it mattered in her difficult three-set win over Aussie favourite Jelena Dokic and showed mental fortitude while the crowd was trying to lift her opponent up. Like Serena, she up-ended an opponent who had taken her out three consecutive times, when she out-fought Vera Zvonareva in the semifinals. | |
| Serena doesn't mind the Australian heat, loves how the ball bounces, and adores how she can mix up her repertoire on a hot day. Serena’s general profile doesn't usually include a description of her being cool-headed and cool handed, but that's now part of her Grand Slam persona. She cranked up her game late against Kuznetsova and served and returned the lights out. When she’s serving well, the rest of her game clicks together and she’s capable of blowing anyone off the court. | With greater fitness, Safina’s better balanced, more patient and doesn’t tire as easily. Safina hits a heavy ball off both wings, has an excellent first serve and fights like hell, witness her performance at last year’s French Open where she fought off match points against Maria Sharapova and Dementieva en route to the final, her come back from two match points down against Alize Cornet here and then her gutsy performance against Jelena Dokic in the quarterfinals. | |
| Safina is an excellent attacking player, who by employing first strike tennis can immediately dictate off her serve and return. Her defense has improved, too, but she’s much more confident when she’s taking huge cuts at the ball. After a shaky first four matches, she played more courageously against Dokic and Zvonareva. But while she can keep herself in matches against lesser players by playing gutsy defense, that’s not going to happen against Serena, who is powerful and accurate. Safina must get good first strikes on the ball, serve huge, go after her returns and mix up her groundstrokes. In short, she is going to have to play the match of her Grand Slam life to take down the most decorated women’s player of the 21st Century. | Serena is able to play multiple styles, but she’s most comfortable when she’s dictating with her huge serve and ripping returns down the lines. That’s how she scares foes and takes them out of their rhythm. She can play steady from the backcourt and rush the net off short balls, but when she’s on the top of her game, she’s willing to crack her forehand crosscourt and has the ability go hard down the line with her two-handed backhand. There isn’t a player out there whom she doesn’t think she’s can’t beat from any side. Serena has never lost a match in Melbourne when she’s won the first set. She’s also come back from incredible deficits to triumph. As good as Safina has become, Ms. Williams is a big favourite here and will only be taken down if she has a ho-hum day at the office. | |
| Serena leads the rivalry 5-1, taking down a tired Safina at the 2008 US Open and WTA Championships. | The Russian scored her sole win over the American at 2008 Berlin on clay in a third-set tiebreaker. |
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