U.S. tennis star Serena Williams overpowered two things simultaneously to move to the next round of the Australian Open while her fans cheered to the core at the Melbourne Park. The American will now be pitted against a string of celebrity tennis players, which will test her talent levels and fitness quotients for sure under the sweltering early Australian summer heat.
Serena is on her quest for a sixth Australian Open, which she already started with a bang with few speculations as she appeared to limp through. On a day when Roger Federer and Andy Murray both have won their respective matches, it was a tough ask for Serena to maintain her perfect fitness.
Edina Gallovits-Hall was her opponent in the match during which the younger of the Williams’ sisters managed to win incredibly by scoring 6-0, 6-0, a thrashing display of power tennis for which she is famously known for. Such was her masterly stroke that the win scored by World No 1 and defending champion Victoria Azarenka appeared to be no match.
Swiss ace Federer breezed past Benoit Paire with 6-2, 6-4, 6-1 on his way to glory with eyes set on his eighteenth career title. Scot sensation Murray was equally elegant by showing traces of his recent tryst at the U.S. Open that he won over his rival and Serbian star Novak Djokovic. After so many stars aiming for the title, it now appears to be the battle of biggies.
Monday has seen no major upsets as all the celebrities have managed to win their matches against their rivals. So far, this Australian Open tournament’s biggest upset has occurred in the Women’s with Russian player Nadia Petrova sent out packing in a match against Japanese veteran Kimiko Date-Krumm who ventured into the record books by being the oldest player at 41 to beat a player at a grand slam event. “She is one tough cookie”, was the reaction from Nadia Petrova.
As far as Serena’s match is considered, she managed to win it though. However, the concluding rounds would be crucial for her in order to win third successive grand slam title, a feat that she would like to emulate as she did at Wimbledon and US Open events. At 31, it might be sheer bravery to seek another title. After she fell onto the ground for a couple of minutes, there was a lot of drama that will she or won’t she.
Serena rose like phoenix but not before comparing her ankle injury with the one she suffered at Brisbane last year in her quest to win Australian Open 2012.
"It was definitely a lot of pain," she said. "Also a little bit of the memory, as well. So it was definitely a little bit of both. But also at the same time trying to gather myself together and trying to make sure that I can continue."
Serena is now all set to take on Garbine Muguruza of Spain in her second round match. Eager fans would like to see how the American will cope with a spate of possible injuries.
