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 With the 33-year-old American looking to register the first Grand
Slam in 27 years with a triumph at the Aug. 31-Sept. 13 U.S. Open,
the question remains: Who can beat her?
Second seed Simona Halep of Romania is 1-6 against the big-serving
American, who has won the last three U.S. titles.
Third-seeded Russian Maria Sharapova, who has won each of the grand
slams during her career, is 2-18 against Williams with her last win
coming 11 years ago.
Fourth seed Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark has won once in 11
meetings with the big-serving world number one.
Williams, winner of the last three U.S. Open titles, has been
invincible yet has seemed beatable during this late career surge.
The biggest server the women's game has ever known has struggled at
times with her delivery and lost nine sets during her victorious run
through the 2015 Australian, French and Wimbledon championships,
including seven first-set losses.
Yet no one has succeeded in derailing her grand slam charge.
"Who can stop her?" pondered U.S. Fed Cup captain Mary Joe
Fernandez, a two-time grand slam doubles winner and a commentator
for ESPN. "If she plays her best, she’s better than everybody and
she will win.
"I think the best chance to upset Serena is earlier rather than
later."
Several dangerous players could test Williams early in the Flushing
Meadows fortnight.
Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia, who upset Halep at Roland Garros,
figures to be Williams' second-round opponent.
American Sloane Stephens could be there for the third round, and
big-serving compatriot Madison Keys or Poland's Urszula Radwanska
may be waiting in the fourth round.
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The quarter-finals could put Williams against either her sister
Venus, eighth-seeded Czech Karolina Pliskova or dangerous
18-year-old Belinda Bencic of Switzerland.
Bencic beat Williams in a tight three-setter this month in the
Toronto semi-finals on her way to a second career WTA title.
"You sort of need a Bencic (type) that goes out there bold and
brave, loving the moment and playing Serena," Fernandez told
Reuters.
Victoria Azarenka has given Williams stiff challenges at the Open in
the past, but the 20th-seeded Belarussian is in the other half of
the draw and could only face her in the finals.
Halep, who reached two finals in the U.S. hardcourt run-up to the
Open, has won more hardcourt matches this year than anyone on tour
with 32 and is tied with Williams for most WTA titles on the surface
this year with three.
"I have a lot of confidence right now because I played tough matches
and won difficult matches," said Halep said. "I'm pretty sure I have
a good game now."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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