Serena Williams back on track; downs Chanelle Scheepers first up in Brisbane – Tennis Special
A former world number one, Serena Williams, won her opening round match against the South African, Chanelle Scheepers, at the Brisbane International 2012. She was playing her first match since losing to Samantha Stosur in
the US Open final in September and quickly penned down a 6-2, 6-3 victory on Monday.
The America veteran had an impactful start at the new tennis season in Brisbane and appeared well on course to bag her 40th WTA championship title of her career. Currently ranked 12th in
the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Rankings, Williams lost her serve in the opening game but broke South African’s serve four times to comfortably bag her first game of the season.
The 30-year-old American made a nervy start in the opening set and lost her serve in the first game. However, she made a fitting reply and snatched back her break in the very next game. Williams found her rhythm later and
after the South African kept her serve in the fourth game, she unleashed a flurry of winners to reel off next four games in a row.
She saved one out of two break points she faced and cashed in all three break chances she crafted in the match. She also clinched nine out of 14 first serve points and earned 15 out of 23 points on her returns to seal the
deal by winning six games to two.
The Saginaw native, Williams, kept momentum sailing into the following set and smoothly held her serve in the opening game. Through her blistering forehands, she kept her remaining serves and converted the only break opportunity
to her advantage in the eighth game, eventually clinching the set with a 6-3 score line. She faced no break points at all and converted the only break chance she had to her advantage. She earned 15 out of 20 points on her first serve and registered 10 out
of 26 points on her returns.
Williams clobbered a higher first serve share of 59 percent as compared to the South African’s 53 percent. She also hammered seven thudding aces and committed fewer unforced errors, which made the difference.
"I was a little rusty, not playing since the US Open, but I think I did well," the delighted American said. "I played a really good player today. It wasn't an easy first round at all. She's had some great wins and I can definitely
see why. I've taken some of the rust off - I definitely have tons of room for improvement though."
Next challenge for the fourth seed is the Serb Bojana Jovanovski who trashed a local wild card entrant, Casey Dellacqua, in straight sets to reach this spot.
"She's a good player. I played her at the US Open, so she knows my game now," Williams said. "I saw her practicing yesterday and she's slamming the ball and moving really well."
Williams was world number one in October 2010 and in my opinion, she can reclaim the top spot again if she maintains her intensity and play in a similar manner. She should capitalise on her ace hitting skills, which will
help her ease past her opponent.
Top seed and the crowd favourite, Samantha Stosur will accompany Williams in the second round. She tumbled over Belarusian Anastasia Yakimova with a 6-2, 6-3 score line in their second face-to-face. The Aussie number one
lost her serve once but broke Belarusian’s serve four times to dominated in this match. She not only maintained her winning record against Yakimova but advanced in this WTA International event with conviction.
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