2016 Australian Open Final: S. Williams vs. Kerber

[Sundaymorningguy]

Patrick can't be everything for Serena. I mean he can't be on the court hitting her shots for her. Serena will bounce back.

 

[tented]

I wouldn't say it was a great final. Kerber played well and there was tension, but Serena left a bit to be desired. The Aussie's got their money's worth though.

It was much more competitive than I expected -- yes, I'm another one who voted for Serena in straights -- but you're right: a huge factor was Serena's errors. It's not like Kerber hit 100 winners.

 

[tented]

Nice, genuine speeches by both.

 

[tossip]

Roland Garros will be difficult for her with the knees...her serve,fh and backhand were not clicking

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

The clay is a bit more forgiving on the knees than the hard courts. I suspect if Serena has her eyes on a slam or two it will be Wimbledon or the US Open. However, I wouldn't dismiss Serena on clay from 2012 on she has won at least one clay court title.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Patrick has failed to motivate her in two critical matches...

No , it's not Patrick fault. He is perfect for Serena. Serena didn't have her hammer today, the service, she didn't move her feet and in the 3rd set Serena should have stayed on Kerber's bh .Kerber stayed solid, give her credit . Serena is human Williams will be back,

 

[kskate2]

I don't see RG as an option for her this year. Wimby will be a more winnable slam so she doesn't have to face the pressure at home in New York again.

 

[tented]

I feel confident she'll get #22 by the end of 2016. If not at Wimbledon, then the USO. RG is possible, too, of course, but not as sure a bet as the other two.

 

[kskate2]

Maria, Vika, Caroline and Aga are like why can't she be a tight train wreck when I play her in a final? :laydownlaughing

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Now the question is what will we see from Kerber now with expectations on her shoulder. Will she keep it up or become an Ana Ivanovic type or Safina?

 

[the AntiPusher]

RG will be a struggle because Serena can't dictates with her serves and sloppy footwork Will cause her problem. Patrick needs to get Serena to just focus on 3/4 speed serves but well placed and she will prevail at RG. As for today;Huber played like a big girl , I am happy for her. My Rena will be back.

 

[kskate2]

She can't become Safina because she didn't win a slam, but she could revert to the way of Ana.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

I think serve placement is going to be key for Serena in the future especially with the return being too big a part in the women's game. She could stand to throw a few more body serves at opponents too.

 

[tented]

She can't become Safina because she didn't win a slam, but she could revert to the way of Ana.

Agree with the Safina part, but not Ana. She was very young when she won RG (20, I think?), whereas Kerber is 28. Like Ivanovic, she may also end up as a one-slam wonder, but it feels different because of their ages: a late-career blossom vs. an early bloom followed by permafrost.

 

[pavlik89]

[video=youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEW9RUB418c[/video]

 

[the AntiPusher]

I think serve placement is going to be key for Serena in the future especially with the return being too big a part in the women's game. She could stand to throw a few more body serves at opponents too.

Very good point , Serena didn't use the body serves today. She will need that serve at RG if her first serve bombs isn't clicking

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Serena hasn't used the body serve a lot in her career period and I am perplexed as to why not. I mean it is very effective, and I think it could have been of great use to her today. I would add it to her arsenal because it isn't going to get any easier. Especially on second serves, Kerber killed Serena's second serve.

 

[sk310]

Now the question is what will we see from Kerber now with expectations on her shoulder. Will she keep it up or become an Ana Ivanovic type or Safina?

I mean she's already 28. I imagine it'll be more 3 or 4 years of Li Na like status of being an elder stateswoman of the tour.

 

[tented]

Whoever wins this game wins the match

You called that. Well done.

 

[kskate2]

Serena gave Kerbie a lot of credit. Said she hit some great dropshots that were unexpected. Talked about her great movement and improvement in her mental game.