The tennis season for the year 2020 started on a positive note for top-seeded Serena Williams. Recently, she had a flawless win, playing in Auckland at the ASB Classic final on Saturday. Before the match, the celebrated player recalled how she missed the opportunity three years ago at the same event. She was into the second round at Auckland the last time around and the American said to have had “hated” her now-husband Alexis Ohanian realising that she was six weeks pregnant at the time due to which couldn’t claim the title.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Serena Williams outclassed teenager Amanda Anismiova 6-1 6-1 in just 45 minutes. Anisimova said on Friday it had been a life-long dream to play Williams.
- Williams was announced AP Female Athlete of the Decade Honour, is eyeing to earn that elusive 24th Grand Slam title.
- Williams, who won the first of her 23 Grand Slam titles before Anisimova was born.
On Saturday, No.1 seed Williams flawlessly outclassed No.3 seed and fellow American, the 18-year-old Amanda Anisimova, 6-1, 6-1. "It was very satisfying," Williams told the press, after her victory. "I knew I was going up against a really good player, so I knew I had to step it up."
I feel like the last time so many things were happening in my life that it was just crazy looking back and I didn’t even know and realize what was happening. Now I’m here with my daughter and it’s such a special moment, this is kind of like where it all began. - Serena Williams
The 23 Grand Slams winner seems tobe overcoming back to back disappointments in recent years and looking forward to earning that elusive 24th Grand Slam title.
Talking about how her pregnancy affected her at that time, Williams said, “I always knew I would have to come back for sure. So I’m really happy to be back. I feel like the last time so many things were happening in my life that it was just crazy looking back and I didn’t even know and realize what was happening. Now I’m here with my daughter and it’s such a special moment, this is kind of like where it all began.”
She further said that she is in a much better form this year. “It’s amazing. I’m in a really different frame of mind. I’m not pregnant, that’s a start so that works and I can only do good now,” she claimed.
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Serena also revealed how her pregnancy phase was a nightmare for her husband adding, "I just remember it was windy and being angry, hating my now-husband Alexis Ohanian. I was like ‘I can’t stand you and I don’t know why. Obviously, at the time, I didn’t know why either. It was like ‘there’s something about your smell, I don’t like your smell’. I was six weeks pregnant and had no idea."
So looking back it’s so surreal and crazy and now that I’m here, I have all these funny memories of being miserable.
The ASB Classic and Serena, so far
Serena Williams's performance has been stellar so far. She overcame Camilia Giorgi’s ruthless form in the first round. Compatriot C. Mchale gave her a tough fight in the first set of the second round but beyond that, it was too easy for the veteran.
Overall, a victory in Auckland for Williams will set the path for the Australian Open.
Post her 23rd major in 2017, Serena has suffered four defeats in finals. In her final match of the year 2019, Williams was beaten by Canadian teen star Bianca Andreescu at the US Open. With the Australian Open being just two weeks away, a continuous winning streak at the ASB Classic in Auckland could prove to be just the boost that the tennis star needs.
Do you think Serena Williams can win the Australian Open?
Picture credit: .glamour.com
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