Australian Open Day 13 Open Thread: Women's Final
by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 3:20 AM EST
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After laying dormant for almost two years, the Serena vs. Henin rivalry resumes on the grandest of stages. Hope you're not sleeping through this dream final.
Not Before 19:30
Serena Williams (USA)[1] v. Justine Henin (BEL)[W]
I rewrote my prediction piece for this final about twelve times before finally deciding that I really don't know. The one thing I expect is an awesome match. If it goes three, that could spell trouble for the gimpier Serena, but that's really the only thing I can say with any degree of certainty.
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Oddsmakers say 50-50. I’d have to agree.
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Wow, Serena really looking shaky here in the opening game. Facing two break points already
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They're both having shaky moments.
Lots of pressure.
Serena 1-0* Justine
And after four deuces, Serena holds. Real big first game.
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3 correct challenges already, less than two games in.
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Wow, a 95 mph forehand return winner from Serena. That’s as fast a women’s groundstroke as I’ve ever seen.
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Serena *2-1 Justine
Saves another break point in the process.
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Wow, quick 0-40 for Serena on Henin’s second service game.
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Serena *3-1 Justine
Serena breaks at love. Really switched it on there.
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Serena 4-1* Justine
Already some drama. On break point, Justine thought she had hit a winner, but it was actually called out by a line judge who immediately called it out. The crowd boos. They replay the point, and Serena hits a service winner followed by a loud audible obscenity from Justine. The crowd boos again.
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Serena *4-2 Justine
Fairly easy hold.
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Serena 4-3* Justine
A forehand winner, followed by a break, followed by an “allez!”
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Serena *4-4 Justine
Holds at love. Momentum really seems to have shifted with that controversy in the fifth game.
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Serena 5-4* Justine
Her most routine service game so far.
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Justine saves one break/set point…
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Here comes another…
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 4:32 AM EST up reply actions
Serena *6-4 Justine
A netcord winner falls just outside the line, but no challenge.
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Justine saves two break points off Serena backhand errors.
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Serena 6-4, 1-1 Justine
Three aces for Justine so far, about three more than I would’ve expected in this match.
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Serena 6-4, 1-2* Justine
Henin breaks at love, and the crowd goes wild.
Short memories on these people.
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Serena 6-4, *2-2 Justine
Some real bad Henin errors give the break right back.
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I predicted a Serena win
and she’s performed better on break points. Simple as
Maybe spoke to soon
Serena fails to break after several chances. Maybe that’s not what’s seperating them!
Wow, Justine is really racing through the end of this set.
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Serena 6-4, 3-6, 0-0* Justine
Breaks at love to take the second set.
This is the first three-set women’s final since Wimbledon 2006.
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10 Points in a row
Most of them down the line winners
I'm sad that I have to leave to meet a friend for breakfast soon
As this is great stuff!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
Still recovering from the boxing last night
I stayed up. Stupid me
I like to imagine that Paul Williams
Is related to the Williams sisters!
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:33 AM EST up reply actions
I have two questions
Is Justine now favourtie?
Was Federer-Nadal (Aus Open) better than Federer-Nadal (Wimbledon)?
To the first question, I’d say yes. To the second, I don’t think so at all. Their Australian meeting was real sloppy, relatively.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:18 AM EST up reply actions
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *0-1 Justine
Justine has won fifteen straight points.
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True grit needed by Serena now
2 break points saved, let’s see the game through now
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 1-1* Justine
HUGE hold.
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Looks like it
Important hold that might have deflated Henin a little bit. Is she going to start missing those winners?
Yes, she is.
4 Unforced errors and Serena breaks
Seems like it, for sure. She and her crowd are deflated.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:27 AM EST up reply actions
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *2-1 Justine
Listless game for Henin, big break for Serena.
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Women's tennis needed Henin and Clisters
It was so uncompetitve without them
That's true
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:31 AM EST up reply actions
SO many. It’s gotten real ugly.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:31 AM EST up reply actions
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 2-2* Justine
Surprisingly lackadaisical effort from Serena
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As is Henin though.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:36 AM EST up reply actions
If Serena wins
does she join Billie Jean-King at 12 Grand Slams?
Yup, that’s correct.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:39 AM EST up reply actions
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *3-2 Justine
Disappointingly WTAish third set thus far.
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WTAish?
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by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:38 AM EST up reply actions
Break after break, errors everywhere, no momentum…
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:39 AM EST up reply actions
It's a higher level version of Venus-Li
No-one able to hold, errors everywhere
Yes, you're right
The standard has dropped, WTAish might be a bit harsh though
Yes but they are still close
"Honey i forgot to duck" - Jack Dempsey
by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:41 AM EST up reply actions
Serena 6-4, 3-6, 4-2* Justine
Phenomenal second serve ace to get the big hold.
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Most likely
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by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:46 AM EST up reply actions
Serena 6-4, 3-6, *5-2 Justine
Match on her racquet
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I just saw Shumenov make the ticker
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by Drunken cutman on Jan 30, 2010 5:50 AM EST up reply actions
Game, Set, Match, Championship Serena Williams
Serena Williams (USA)1 def. Justine Henin (BEL) 6-4, 3-6, 6-2
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Thanks for stopping by folks!
Hope to see you back here tomorrow for the men’s final.
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I think Federer in 4, but it really all depends on Murray.
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by Ben Rothenberg on Jan 30, 2010 5:53 AM EST up reply actions
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