2014 US Open Final: Serena vs. Caroline

[Hoergren]

Well this says many things

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I don't think Serena will take things lightly as both favored players today to be in the men's final went down and hard. I think she will come in focused.

 

[golds girl]

I am afraid this may be a WTA match in which both players have positive differential
(winners - ufe), leading to my beheading. uzzled

We definitely need you to stay around...you should really place another bet
Plus beheading these days seems a little close to home:s

 

[tossip]

Serena will beat her bff in straights....she has the experience

 

[Moxie]

There is a nice piece in the NYTimes on their friendship.

I know Serena's killer instinct overrides almost all things, but I thought she brought a little of the same flatness that you can see when she plays Serena to their last 2 meetings, at least in the beginning. Even Serena can't completely separate heart from head/competitive drive. I'd love to see Caroline get her first Major, but I'll be happy for either.

 

[special700]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTD79N5PUN0&feature=player_embedded

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

If Serena plays like she did against Markarova in the final,there is no doubt in my mind Serena wins this match.
Serena has thrown in some wobbly performances this year including at Slam level.
Caroline is playing well enough to take any advantage of the opportunities if Serena does happen to wobble.

Serena to win in straights sets.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I am going to go with Serena. She has been getting better since the QF. I actually didn't like Caro's performance in her semi. It is a shame Peng had that happen as it was a very close contest between the two. It is all up to Serena to show up and do what she is capable of doing. She has to be as aggressive as she was against Makarova.

 

[sk310]

I'm not a betting man so I chose the safest, Serena in 3.

I'm so impressed by Woz making it here. I truly hope this newfound game/confidence on her part sticks around. It's really refreshing to see a player have a sort of renaissance after being written off so often.

I could see this going one of two ways. Either Serena locks this up quickly and taps into her second gear. Or this match looks similar to their other tight matches this summer.

In my estimation Serena is having a year much like Federer's 2013. I think when a player reaches a certain age pressure mixed with a slightly changing body results in some frustrating losses. He hadn't quite learned how to work with his newly aging self and needed time to recalibrate. I still see Serena having a spectacular 2015 as she learns to work smarter with body when she's losing.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Well, I think Serena's problem came in her off season training after her 2013 season wrapped up. I don't think she did nearly quite what she did at the end of her 2012 season in off season. I think at that point her mind was done with tennis given how focused she was in 2013 which is understandable. However, when you reach her age, you have to unfortunately keep up with fitness and training on a consistent basis if you want to continue on a high level. She could get away with not training as frequently when she was younger, but she can't really do that now.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Pete Bodo went with Serena in 3
Matt Cronin went with Serena in 3

I am going with Serena in tight straight sets, head prevailed over heart.
I will give Woz a 33% chance of beating Serena.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think the difference is though that the Serena that Wozniacki encountered in Montreal and Cincy is not the Serena of the US Open. She has played much better tennis here than at those other tournaments. I hope Serena continues her play that she has shown here.

 

[tented]

Unfortunately, I won't be around for the final, but Moxie will be here to start the Live Chat.

Enjoy the match!

Tented

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think the one intangible that everyone should consider, and I am sure Serena is well aware given her year is how she may not get many more opportunities to add to that hardware, so she needs to make each slam final count. I mean if she wins this, I would say realistically she has next year and 2016 to get those totals, and she has found a way to make each final count since 2011.

 

[nehmeth]

Unfortunately, I won't be around for the final, but Moxie will be here to start the Live Chat.

Enjoy the match!

Tented

It is an incredibly beautiful day in Pennsylvania... enjoy it man!! And thank you for all the work you do behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly.

(if you're near Oakmont, snag something good from the bakery... like a bagel or breadstick for Woz to give to Serena)

 

[nehmeth]

Wozi in two.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Since the tour switched to hardcourts after Wimbledon,

Serena is 18-1 (losing only to Venus in Montreal)

Caroline is 19-3 (losing to Serena in Montreal and Cincinnati,and to Camila Giorgi in the early rounds of New Haven)

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Just recording my prediction. Serena in 3.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

OK!

Count-Down is ON!! T minus 22 minutes.

Get them last votes in, we will be closing the poll station shortly.

 

[kskate2]

Serena in 3, but most likely 2 tight sets.