Serena Williams breezes past Klara Zakopalova to reach final – Collector Swedish Open 2013
Top seed Serena Williams cruised into the final showdown at the Collector Swedish Open 2013 after slaughtering Klara Zakopalova with a bagel. She jolted down a 6-0, 6-4 victory against the Czech star to secure a place in the title-round
at this WTA International level event being held in Bastad, Sweden.
The American veteran proved her class in this epic encounter. She not only inched closer towards the title but also recorded her 50th win of the season. Before this season, Williams most match wins in a year was 38 at
this point (in 2003). In addition to this, Williams secured her first International-level final berth. Her best result was reaching semi-finals of Cincinnati seven years ago.
The American icon stated in a courtside interview after earning the glory, “I was hardly making mistakes in the first set - I have to figure out a way to continue that tennis for more than one set, and I'm definitely going to go
back and watch the film," Williams said. "In the second set she started playing a lot better. She was being more aggressive, and I started making some errors on a few key points. I think that was a turning point. I'm happy I could close it out though.”
Williams thundered into this battle as she reeled off six straight games and pulled out the opener with a bagel.
The high flying American maintained her intensity in the following set and with an early break of serve, she jumped to a 2-0 lead. Williams squandered her edge in the fourth game but broke again to take a 4-2 lead. Regardless of
levelling the scores again in the eighth game, the American stayed focused and got the breakthrough in the end. She sealed the deal by winning six games to four.
Next in line for the 31-year-old is the local top ranked star, Johanna Larson. The Swede was trailing a set and a break when she hit back and outshined Flavia Pennetta. The eighth seed summed up a 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 score line against
the former Top 10 and progressed at this event.
The American conquered Larsson in their only encounter at the Fed Cup earlier this season. Furthermore, Williams is bidding for her 53rd WTA title whereas the Swede is eyeing to grab her first. She is currently 0-2 lifetime
in WTA finals. Larsson secured title-round berths at Portoroz three years ago and here two years ago.
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