[1] Serena Williams (USA) vs. [65] Christina McHale (USA)
Serena Williams may not be thinking about winning number 22, which I do not believe for a second; however, she is well aware that everyone is talking about it. She claims that no one can break her mentally, but I disagree again. Williams has proven repeatedly that she can break herself when she becomes overwhelmed by the pressure of expectations. Williams provided us with another round of drama as she had to pull another Houdini escape today and she almost got trapped in her own emotions. McHale came out playing fierce tennis, believing that she could win. She broke Williams on her first serve and led in the third set again before Williams found a way to pull it out 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-4.
[8] Venus Williams (USA) vs. [28] Daria Kasatkina (RUS)
The teenager had beaten Williams earlier this year in three sets in Auckland; thus, she expected a battle. Venus Williams got off to a great start, leading 5-1 and serving for the first set, play was interrupted by the expected rain of Wimbledon. Williams would come back and drop serve twice and made to work to win the first set. The second set was all Kasatkina who played smartly. She changed the direction of the ball often and forced her older opponent to run from side to side. She also took the pace off her shots, forcing Williams to create her own. Williams is 36 years old and played two matches yesterday, she looked exhausted. Kasatkina took the second and led in the third and it looked grim for Williams. Yet, the champion that she is dug deep into her reserves and pulled it off 7-5, 4-6, 10-8.
I understand their competitive nature but the Williams’ sisters really need to give up on the doubles. I think that it’s too much for either of them and especially for Venus who suffers from a somewhat debilitating condition. They can rely on their finesse and their tremendous talent to win matches for them but, unfortunately, they are getting older and need a little more rest than the teenagers.
I would love to see Venus get another trophy at Wimbledon, she has been so good on grass over the years, but time and Sjogren’s Syndrome has taken a toll. I know she seems to have no plans to retire; however, at some point she must accept the reality that she may no longer be physically capable of playing at the level required to win a Major. Serena lost the French because in playing back to back days she injured herself; therefore, I am confused because in playing doubles she is now playing day after day and her match against Mc Hale was emotionally and physically draining. I think it would be a wise move on their part to withdraw from the doubles. I think that if Serena continues to play doubles as well she will severely hamper her chances in singles.