I know a lot of people talk about the effort that Serena has to put in at times to win, but I think the issue for her opponents is maintaining the effort they have put themselves in to win. Serena to her opponents dismay has many different levels with her game. Her B game can play and win with someone's A Game. It isn't like we have seen Vika or Petra or anyone else Serena has played in tight matches be able to up their level to another level when Serena ups her level. That is the problem for the other ladies. The other ladies when they are on a roll with Serena are playing at their capacity where Serena is hardly ever at full capacity until she deems it necessary. Yesterday was an example of Serena playing well, but she got even better in the second and third sets. Vika was pretty much at full display of her tennis. She needs to develop that next level whatever it may be net play, a better serve.
I think so many especially sports writers and detractors of Serena underestimate the effort it takes to serve aces and unreturnables. The effort it takes to recognize that the forehand is misfiring, so let me step back and go for more margin and work it into solid form again. She is very smart about her tennis, and it might not be obvious to the average person who wants to call her a ball basher. She isn't always successful when she changes tactics, but at least she recognizes the need for it which hardly anyone on the WTA does or has the ability to do. Vika is trying to get there, but I think she has another year or two before it develops.
