Serena Williams scuttles past Maria Kirilenko to reach quarters – Australian Open 2013
With 22 winners and just six unforced errors, the 31-year-old American star, Serena Williams, gusted away the 15th ranked Russian diva, Maria Kirilenko, in the fourth round of the Australian Open. On Monday, the third
ranked American lost just a couple of games before posting a resounding 6-0 head-to-head lead against the 25-year-old Russian.
Final scores were 6-2, 6-0 in favour of the American who forced her opponent to commit 17 unforced errors which was completely an uncharacteristic display from Kirilenko but she had no other option to attack and that cost her an
embarrassing loss in the end.
Kirilenko commented at the end of the match, “I played like I wanted to play something unbelievable, every shot I want to do the good shot but sometimes you just have to play just simple, maybe just through the middle. But actually
when I played through the middle, then she started to make winners. That's why maybe I was trying too much.”
Williams stated to the interviewer at the court, “[It’s just] consistency, fighting. I'm really out there just doing the best I can, just fighting for everything. I think with that attitude I'm just trying to stay in the tournament
just to stay alive.”
No drama was witnessed in the first three games but the onslaught from the American started in the fourth game of the match when the 15-time Grand Slam Champion broke her rival’s serve to take a lead. She waited just three more
games before rounding off the opening set with another cracking winner down the line that added another breakpoint to her tally.
Kirilenko was unable to win a single rally in the first five points of the second set. She lost the breakpoint and went down 0-2. The scenario didn’t turn in her favour at all and the command on the score line was further strengthened
via another breakthrough in the fourth game for Williams.
The Russian tried to fight back but wasted a close chance to break her rival’s serve in the fifth game that closed down the doors of comeback for the 15th ranked Russian. She lost the match without winning a single game
in the second set and that was expected considering the sublime form of Williams.
Serena Williams is into the quarter-finals of the Australian Open where she will lock horns against the 29th seed compatriot, Sloane Stephens, who is just 19-year-old. So, apparently it is going to be another double
bagel for Williams.
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