I’ve been thinking about what I am going to write for the women’s final for several hours and i’ve still got no clue. It’s going to be messy but I hope you’ll stick with me as I try to sum up what’s going on, both with the tennis and in my head right now. Tweets and pictures are probably the best way of projecting how i’m feeling right now.
That picture of Lucie and Beth is just the BEST. I’m just so thrilled for Lucie and Rob, and her team. This is such a magnificent achievement. I was there at Roland Garros for her first match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova…. that feels about two years ago now. Against Pavs, that match could so easily have swung away from her but she managed to get it done in two sets, 7-6 7-6. I think the confidence from winning that match against such a good friend has propelled her going forward and given her both momentum and confidence. Lucie’s route through the draw has been so tough and complete polar opposites to the one she faced at Wimbledon where she reached the semi-finals. Lucie’s route has passed by Kurumi Nara (6-2 6-0), Sabine Lisicki (6-3 7-6), Maria Sharapova (7-6 6-4), Garbine Muguruza (7-6 6-3) and Ana Ivanovic (7-5 7-5).
I’m not going to tell you all the stats and stuff for the semi-final as I still haven’t caught up fully with the match. What I will tell you is that I was listening on RG radio and I WAS A MESS. I did barely any work this afternoon. I have so much work to catch up on tomorrow haha. I was half following on Twitter and it was nice to be able to share that pain with other Lucie fans on Twitter. All the Lucie fans are awesome on Twitter and i’d list you all right now but in fear of missing someone out, I won’t!
When Lucie stepped up to serve for the match, I was waiting for that double fault on the first point… and it came. Lucie’s nerves have been an ever present through her career although she has shown over the past few years of dealing with it better. I can’t begin to imagine how Lucie was feeling because I was actually shaking. I can’t believe what tennis fandom is doing to me. I would say it’s the most nervous i’ve ever been for a tennis match. I laugh at myself now but I love feeling those emotions and rooting for a player to succeed. Tennis is such a bloody awesome sport.
Lucie missed a match point (on a double fault) and then got broken. My heart sank. I thought that could be it, particularly if Ana were to hold in the next game. She didn’t though and Lucie got a second chance to serve it out, which this time she took. My heart was beating so fast. I did a silent fist pump at the computer screen although I wanted to shout. While all us Lucie fans are happy, there’s always two sides to a story… commiserations to Ana fans. She did great this tournament and personally, i’m really pleased to see her finally turning a corner on what has been a tough 2015 campaign.
I can’t really put into words how happy I am for Lucie. I always root for the nice people and in my opinion, Lucie is just the best. One thing I notice on social media is that there’s very few, if anyone, who has a bad thing to say about Lucie. Yes, people have criticised her struggles to close out matches and her nerves. As a person though, everyone seems to like and respect Lucie. I’ve never seen her give a bad handshake and she just seems like such a thoroughly decent person. Nice people rule!
Lucie’s first Grand Slam singles final (it still doesn’t seem right hahahaha!) will be against Serena Williams. The American player, who skipped press afterwards, was under the weather and came out of another big hole, coming back to defeat Timea Bacsinszky, 4-6 6-3 6-0. I was playing tennis this evening and when I started, Timea had break points to take a set and a break lead. When I next checked the live scores, Serena had just won with a third set bagel. Huge credit to Serena for what she’s done this fortnight. Her form has been shaky and her health is not quite there it seems, but she’s forced her way into yet another Grand Slam final.
This may be different to other Lucie fans but i’m pleased she plays Serena in the final. Against Timea, she would have gone in as the favourite and I also think Timea’s game would have given her great problems. The head-to-head against Serena is one-sided and there is no denying that, but Lucie is the underdog and I feel like that is the best position for her to go into her first Grand Slam final. She can go out there, swing away and give it a real good go. There’s no way in telling how Lucie will cope with the nerves. Everyone responds differently and we just won’t know until the day.
So… who’s going to win? Mannn, this is so tough to write. This is the hardest preview i’ve ever written. Trying to disentangle my head and heart has become harder and harder this week and i’m really struggling. So here comes a mini monologue. This tournament has felt different to any other tournament i’ve watched Lucie play in. She’s flown through the draw, beaten top quality opposition, not dropped a set, not lost a tiebreak (!) and shown so much belief. I’ve been a fanatical fan of Lucie since the start of 2014 and it’s been amazing to witness how much she has improved. At the end of the day, she’s a winner in my eyes for reaching the final. It’s such a cliché but seriously, who had Lucie making the final pre-Roland Garros?
I just hope Lucie believes in herself. She’s got the game to give Serena a match and even more so if Serena is struggling physically. Her serve, her forehand, her ability (particularly this fortnight) to stay in rallies. It’s all there. She will only win this match if she stays aggressive, like she has played all of her matches this week. Furthermore, I think playing the doubles semi-final tomorrow is perfect for Lucie as she has the opportunity to take her mind off the final. The big question is whether Lucie can control her nerves and have the belief that she can beat Serena. Personally, I think if Lucie wins, it will have to be in straight sets. There were visible nerves against Ivanovic, but she got across that line. My heart is completely ruling my head right now and i’m fully aware of this. This is the crazy fandom taking me away from reality but i’m standing by Lucie, I really am.
I’m looking forward to reading all your comments (thanks for being so awesome this fortnight, as always it’s been a ball reading them all). I’ve missed all of Lucie’s matches this week which has been sucky but Saturday is going to be such a great day, whatever the outcome. Great match, ladies and enjoy it Lucie… give it your best shot! 😀
Prediction: Lucie to win the whole caboodle!
Moo's Tennis Blog 
I think you’re getting a little carried away personally.
Serena seems hell bent on getting the Slam this year. She probably knows in her heart of hearts after 2014 that this will likely be the last time she could give it a proper go. Her match against Bacsinszky was bizarre because even when she was a set and a break down and Serena was wavering all over the place, sweating like she was on fire and croaking inaudible mutterings to herself on the brink of tears…it just felt like she was going to win. It was the same in Australia. And it will probably be the same in Wimbledon and New York.
Lucie has only ever managed three sets off Serena. She’s playing in the biggest match of her career. And while she did come through against Ivanovic, she did choke BIG time both at the start and the end of the match. Ana failed to capitalise but it’s highly unlikely Serena will. Three players have bested Williams in a Slam final. Stosur and Sharapova played a style of game she just wasn’t prepared for. The other player was Venus.
If Safarova wins then it’ll be one of the biggest upsets of Serena’s career…
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I’m kind of going to be a neutral here. But, looking at the pre-tournament hopefuls, Kutznesova, Suarez-Navarro, Wozniacki, Kerber, Kvitova, Sharapova, Halep, all fallen. How Serena truly does it to remain the last one still standing slam after slam is remarkable, all the more given her age. The sheer force of will, how many first set loss comebacks in this slam and the toughness of her draw…
However, Safarova’s run has been one for the books too. Lisicki, Sharapova, Muguruza, Ivanovic, some of the hardest hitting girls on tour, they’ve huffed and puffed, but couldn’t blow Lucie’s house down. I’m pleasantly amazed at her maturity and pluck, going toe to toe with them. Romantically speaking, there could be a call to destiny here, that underdog story that happens now and then.
Can’t say who will win now without sleeping on it for a while but this should be good. Serena was visibly pushing herself to the wire to beat her sickness and Timea, this could be the deciding factor come the finale.
lol…… Please James, ‘Carboodles’ ??? Is that like some french pirate booty… I cannot take those to my accountant. Calm your horses and give me hard numbers, merci beaucoup!
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I’m not calm. As I alluded to in this post, if Lucie wins this, i’d say straight sets. If this goes three sets, I cannot see Serena not winning.
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You’re right, I am getting carried away… but I think you can understand why.
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My only hope is that Serena will leave the theater to the actors. Otherwise that’s a bit to much to bare for a normal girl. That was the case for Timea and I suspect that Lucy is somewhat the same. I guess the umpire or ITF shoul handle these cases more seriously. Are you sick? Stay home or if otherwise than play by the rules and don’t embarass a whole world watching. She missed the press conference to avoid the presumable annoying questions coming. The fact that she’s been aware of the reactions she has generated tells a lot about her honesty. Go Lucie, beat the fake patient!
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I said it before and I’ll say it again… Serena isn’t a good enough actress to pull that off. She was visibly pale, had puffy eyes, was wheezing and panting and sweating profusely. How does one fake that? And surely it’d be MUCH easier to play without pretending to be ill…
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Get over it. Serena won the last point. She is definitely sicked. Even she is an actress, but her opponent got fooled by her act and lost. Timea played very well. She is destined to top 10 soon and may be win some slams too.
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Agree… Serena is obviously ill. Why would she pretend to be ill?
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Yawnnn.
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Sometimes it can really be so difficult to stomach Serena’s over-the-top acting. What a joke!! How sick could she have been to warrant such histrionics? She still had max energy to serve big, scream or yell when necessary, so what was up with the tears and extra drama. Or was she getting better as play went on? Trust me on this, as James said, I think there will be no three sets drama here. Serena will go out in two sets like a bird shot out of the sky. There will be no explanation for her bad performance either. Even in that miserable h2h of 10-0, there are two matches there that indicate Lucy can do it. Question for Sunday? How did Lucy manage to win RG without dropping a set???
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If Williams is under the weather Lucie has a chance otherwise it’s going to be very very hard for Lucie. Throughout this tournament I have seen Williams change game plans, playing style and what not to win the matches. She can change her game plan very fast and try new things at the spur of the moment, Williams wants to win and she has all the weapons and knows which one to fire when.
However, Lucie herself has been playing well and I have been impressed by her tenacity to stay in long rallies.
So again if Williams is under the weather then Lucie has a chance otherwise it’s gonna be very very tough for Lucie.
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I’m casting my vote for Lucie in honor of Moo, who’s the biggest Safarova fan I know! In fact, this blog alone has dragged me on to this bandwagon. In fact, I learned to pronounce her last name because of this blog. Goooo Lucie “sa-FA-zho-vA”!
In all honesty, I think she’s got the power game to go toe-to-toe with Serena. She even showed some good defense vs. Ivanovic. But I think her biggest foe isn’t Serena — it’s her own head. And the queen of head games is Serena. Are we going to be witness to sloppy game play courtesy of two players battling their own demons? As we’ve seen time and again, Serena’s legacy is in the ability to fight her own demons, and come out on top. Edge to Serena.
Heart–>Lucie
Head–>Serena
Torn.
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Haha it’s Sha far zho va btw!! 🙂 #TeamSafarova
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sha-FAR-zho-va FTW!
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Thanks, Peter! Hope you enjoy the final.
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Wins or Loses all on Serena’s own WILL. However, Lucie does have a chance to win since Serena is really not well.
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There has been this inevitability about Serena for me in this tournament. A few times I’ve been hoping for her to get upset and even with sets and breaks down, she’s fought back her dominance. Her Slam final record is ridiculous and even if she starts slow again, which I doubt this time, scoring a second set against her is proving very difficult. Lucie will have to serve well, take her opportunities, and forget she is playing for a Grand Slam title. Hoping for the best for her. 🙂
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Yes! Head and heart for Lucie! I am feeling confident for her in tmrw’s match! Give your best shot Lucie! Keep calm and play tennis like you have always done these past 2 weeks!! #POJD #TeamSafarova
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And I having good vibes like what happened between Petra and Maria in the Wimbledon 2011 final! Petra rolled through the tournament, playing her best tennis and then upset Maria! Petra was clearly the underdog in that match! I think this final will have the same outcome 😉
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Please make sure you bet with your bank account on Lucie “WIN” only 🙂 if you dare! Good luck.
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Serena is playing for history. She will get her 20th slam. Lucie has a little more time in the game than Serena, so she can win after Serena retire.
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Serena obviously was not well in AO2015 but she whacked Maria in two sets. One is sicked and another one is nervous for her first slam final. So, it will be full of drama. For one thing is that Lucie can’t attack Serena backhand like she did to Ana because Serena backhand is her killing weapon. I watched the past few matches between these two, Lucie lost in the same pattern. So, I wish her well and play differently.
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I am very happy that Lucie is in a grand slam final after eight years supporting her and waiting for this (I teared my eyes for the emotion).The final will be hard, but it’s very motivating to play against the number 1 (you are not the best, till you beat the best), it’s true that the H2H is 8-0, but the last match on the Hopman Cup had a tiebreak in the third set. Nerves can play against her, but today felt them, so she could control them (I hope that she think in her nieces to control it). Finally, if Stosur won a grand slam final to Serena, why not Lucie??? and this time is on clay…
Pojd Lucie!!! the new and the best top ten!!!
PD: sorry for my english 🙂
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Thanks for the comment, Pablo!
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Your English is better than most English people speak/type it. 🙂
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Oh and on Stosur… she did win a Slam at the US Open in 2011. But her first Slam final was here five years ago where she choked big time…
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Lucie is in the final in singles and doubles, last time she did it was in Charleston (2012) and the singles final was against…Serena (I don’t want to remember that match, so painful, but not the most)…it’s funny this fact
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Stosur was a great player once upon a time in her career . Please don’t compare Stosur to Lucie. Lucie just strung a couple of good wins this year.
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James, I can totally understand your emotions – it’s the same for me with Angie. I don’t know why I’m cheering so much for her – maybe because she got me back to tennis in September 2011. So I’m fine with all your cheering for Lucie, don’t get a heart attack tomorow – no matter the outcome 😛
As regards the final, I’m of course supporting the underdog. I think, Lucie has a chance if she can make it in two and fingers are crossed. But my mind says, Serena will manage to win in three. She’s ever hungry, she is experienced and determined to reach those 22 grand slam titles end even go one step further than Steffi did. And she is the number one in the world and arguably the best female player of all time.
On a side note, I hated her behaviour yesterday. I will nothing take away from her because she is the number one for a reason, but in IMO she is too much drama. I mean everybody could see that she was not feeling well so there was NO NEED to be overly dramatic. I think no one doubted she would make it a win in the end, but she is the best world’s tennis actress. When I was watching, the commentator was very sarcastic about her behaviour and that was the only way to deal with it.
If you’re sick and you still go out and play, then shut up, play and give it your best without any pathetic behaviour (oh yes, Tara Moore didn’t tweet the most intelligent thing but she was right that Serena was acting pathetically)
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It is easier to comment anything like the commentary teams or any of us. We are not the players and we can’t feel their pressures and how much they want to win as a great competitor. It is normal for anyone to be emotional and seeing by someone like “acting”. That is the reason why soccer player(s) running around even tear off their shirts like crazy people (Are they acting too?).
I wonder if it was happening to Maria, Davenport and the rest of the commentary team will make such comments (she hates Serena because she lost to her several times). This group of people are pathetic or because they can’t see black people making so much successes like Serena. For that reason, I back her to win her 20th slam though I wish Lucie well (she can get her doubles title).
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Ok listen Sudut.
First, to conclude, that commentators can’t see that black people making such successes is just rude and unnecessary on this blog. Serena is a well respected athlete all over the world and a role model for everyone for being able to compete at such a high level even if she has already reached this kind of age where you usually would retire from professional sport. I’m sure there are no racist reasons whatsoever. Please spare us (and James) those comments here.
Second, if you have ever played competition in any kind of sport (I have done this and not just on a basic level), you know that she was acting a litte bit too much. I’m sure this is how she is and I respect it, but it was annoying me because there were no doubts for me (and for everone else btw), that she would pull off the win.
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Murphy… can you please answer me WHY Serena would expend all that energy faking injury? If you really have played sports then you’ll know the amount of focus needed to win. But you’re saying she was focused on acting. It just does not make any sense.
Bacsinszky knows a healthy Serena would not have missed the shots she missed yesterday. You imply Serena needs shady tactics when she doesn’t.
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Hey Murphy, did Serena break the WTA or RG official rules. Your comments just discredited Timea like she was stupid to get fooled by an actress on tennis court. Did Serena get any free points out of Timea compassion? Hell NO. They are great competitors and it was a hard fought victory that Serena deserved to be in the final. She played by the rules. How could you call her actress (like a cheater). Very funny!!
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By the way, Tara Moore is nobody and she is just another loser. #9 in UK and #401 in the world and playing in those ITF 25K tournaments, who is she trying to get attention? Phew!
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What about Serena’s behavior do you think was pathetic? I think she should have been warned for time violation. Thats it, though. Any other top player would have taken a MTO or comfort break after dropping the first set. Not Serena though.
People who call her unsportsmanlike should ask her fellow players (not Tara Moore- girls she actually plays with) what shes like to be around. Kuznetsova, Wozniacki, Bartoli, Azarenka… they all say the nicest things about Serena, say she is a warm, supportive, team player. Oh and she’s one of the very few women who applaud opponents when they hit a great shot.
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I think Tieme should of been called for 3 time violations . She had Serena waiting long on 3 of her serves games and she kept complaining on balls that were in.
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You’re jealous of Serena’s success. It pains you when she wins. While you hating and being broke, she is racking up trophies and cashing big checks.
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Ok, I think I didn’t manage to clearly express myself (maybe I didn’t use “pathetic” in a right way..english is not my native language). The thing is, I never called her unsportsmanlike. I just thought, that as a spectator, it was a little bit exaggerated (?). I know that you need a lot focus to win if you’re in such a state as she was, but you can also focus without doing grimaces and stuff – you know what I mean?
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It was almost “Alizé-Cornet-like”
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Serena or anyone deserves to show their emotions on tennis court. Whatever they like to show is none of spectators’ business. Like it or not she won the match and she is one of the greatest of all time. She GOAT COMEBACK Star.
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So you think she should have expended more energy by disguising the discomfort she was clearly in? That hardly seems fair…
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No, but I think she has shown her discomfort a little bit too much. Well, nevermind, she did play well in the end and was rewarded with a hard fought win.
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She’s an emotional person. It works against her more often than it helps her so I’m sure if she could help it she would. I really don’t understand what you’re suggesting she should have done.
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just a question sir…do u or have u actually played in any compettitive sport and a decent level to know what it takes to be a winner?? secondly if she was actin, then surely that should play to the opponets hand, since she could barely even move on court…was michael Jordan also acting in that nba championship game?? sometimes its better to just say nothing than to open ur mouth and give away that u obviously dont know what ur talknig about
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Chill, everyone!!!
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It’s just really sad that people feel the need to undermine Serena. Nobody did with Navratilova, Evert or Graff. Hopefully her post career legacy will be much kinder.
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Yes I have. At a very decent level. End of discussion. not gonna post anything anymore here if one’s not allowed to say something. I didnt take anything away from her and her accomplishment yesterday nor did I undermine her career. IMO she is the best, by far. and I didnt refer to any of her opponents. just referred to me as a spectator and what I think about it.
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Murphy you called her an actress thereby saying it was an act. I’m assuming that the commentator who was sarcastic was Lindsay Davenport or Chris Evert, both of whom always take digs at Serena and many other players. If you want to discuss bad behaviour then let’s discuss those two first.
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I am delighted that Lucie has made the final at Roland Garos,defeating the defending champion Sharapova on the way to the final.Both players will be nervous competing in the final,regardless of how many finals you have played it is normal to have nerves.Lucie can’t afford a slow start against Serena,like she did in her match against Ivanovic.Lucie has to believe and go for her shots,like she has done all tournament.Serena isnt 100% well,that is obvious,though she does have another day off from the s/final.I am hoping for a competitive final and I am going for the underdog Lucie to win in straight sets.
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I think that Serena is not ill, all se have is a lot of nervous. all the tournament she played with the same patron. Her face shows fiar and is a miracle that she is gonna play the final. Lucie is gonna be in position to win the match but in this moment will see is she can stay calm and remate Serena. I wish Lucie wins because she deserves more this tournament, she played better than Serena and had better actitude and fair play that Williams. Go Lucie!!
Sorry for my english
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For one I’m sure Serena won’t bring the sick screenplay to the final too or she’ll be boed. The people of Paris are no rednecks in love with the numbers from serve speed display. When gets tough she’ll bring the unholy screams in order to disrupt the opponent. After all there are basically only two tricks in women’s tennis. Pretend sick or act bitchy. This time will the second act prevail.
Why pretending sick is effective? One puts up a show that catches the eye of the opponent and demotivates her. Instead of hardening her will, the opponent is forced to witness the neverending complaints from the other side. Always waiting for the time to place her serve or hitting the return at the good will of the “sicked” one. The umpire was a coward by not taking points from Serena instead giving falsely a very big point in the second set (Hawkeye showed the umpire was wrong, she could have at least dictate replay point but she just rushed to give a deciding point to Serena).
Why didn’t she come to the press conference when the situation was still hot? How come she could play and not bare a sitdown press conference of 30 min. or so? I’m sure the tournament doctor would have been waiting that long. She was fully aware of what she did.
Serena, no excuses for the showing off. And I believe there is a cultural difference that would perhaps ease the understanding for that offshowing behaviour.
Outrageous, it’s all about american money in tennis.
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I blame obama, martin luther king, malcom x and Nelson Mandela
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There is a reason hawkeye isn’t used in clay and that’s because the balls skid on the dirt and so the hawkeye cam isn’t very accurate. The impression in the dirt indicated it was definitely in. Even Timea Bacsinszky said it was in. I’m wondering if you even watched the match?…
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You’re making cheap assumptions. How can a splash of dirt beat an electronic device? The agreement was made that only safe Hawkeye replays will be showed off. That’s why we’re not seeing that everytime.
And the match against Vika turned in Serena’s favour after a bad umpire decision too.
Her career is lurking in shadows. Has always been like that, even more now.
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Timea ACTUALLY said to Alison Hughes that it was in. Get over yourself, please.
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People get crazy and hate? Perhaps he lost too much money betting on Serena to lose in Semi.
Whatever HE wants to say about Serena, SHE won and SHE has 19 slam. Could anyone cheat that 19 slam? Tell me how? At least we can make this recipe selling to WTA wannabe stars and make money.
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‘her career is lurking in shadow and has always been’…..mate i think u should stop talknig for now, cus ur just sounding more confusing with every statement u making….everybody loves to hate a winner, especially one that dont fit into the stereotype of what they want the winner to look like…thats all this has to do with if u really want to be honest deap down…u aint fooling no one
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You’re jealous of Serena and it hurts your heart every time she wins. To bad get over it. Why don’t you go on Sharapova’s site and make comments? You’re a evil troll and a notorious liar.
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You should learn first how to spell your allegations: “TOO bad”, “AN evil troll”. Still good that you don’t trust yourself to write longer lectures. That would be really disastruous.
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Frankly speaking, I type anything here on the run. I don’t care about grammar so long as it is readable. You want to talk about English, go to Drama School not here. Here is about tennis! I can understand Jade. I am sure you can otherwise you won’t reply. Please take a cold shower or a get ice cool beer to cool your soul. I don’t think is pretty to make yourself an evil here or LOSER.
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Disastrous*
|Irony-at-its-best|
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serena is ill okay, but no-one is mentioning the pain in her left arm’s wrist that is apparent due to her wearing of strip at that place.I think that started right after azarenkas’ match cause i saw it in sloanes match. I think if lucie wins the first set and take a considerable amount of lead than she can win but if serena remains closed to her in the second set than we all are going to see another comeback from SERENA williams. BUt whatso ever i have become a great serena’s fan after this tournament. How on the earth someone can be so sick and win it all. Hats off to her. No matter what the final will be serena has already shown to the world that she is the greatest of all time 🙂
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I know we as fans can sometimes be diehard, but it can be helpful to realize that the sport of tennis is bigger than any one person’s personality. Wouldn’t it be great if we could all see things like Timea Bacsinszky herself did in her own words ….
“She’s the only one who knows how she was feeling, so I’ve no idea how fit she was or not, but I knew on court that it would be a difficult match and I never forgot that, so I always tried to push myself as far as I could to win the match.”
“She was better today. She pulled out a great match because I think I was playing quite well and she deserved to win.”
“She deserves to win, because she found the solutions against a very little Swiss girl who did her best today, I saw that she was taking some time between points, but the referee didn’t say anything. Whether this was theatrical or not, it’s part of the game. The rules are clear. The one who wins is the one who wins the very last point. We have umpires and referees to appraise these things, to evaluate if there are things that are not really fair play. If the umpires or referees say it’s OK, why wouldn’t we accept that?”
“I know that I fought until the last point.”
“For sure, I’m sad because we’re all great competitors and we don’t like to lose, but it was already way better than the last time I played her and I’m just going to go back to work and try to play better the next time.”
– Timea Bacsinszky
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Yes it would, thanks for posting this!
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Bravo. Great post so far.
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Well its all for Serena to lose this game as Lucie can only win this in two straight sets…if Serena is again slow like the whole tournament and loses first set and Lucie gives her that opening in the second ; there is no way Lucie gonna take the match again in the third.I just wish Serena loses the first set and make a comeback in the second(to make some decent money) and then to enjoy the match dragged to the final set.Serena’s B game is good enough to beat Lucies A game.
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Lucie failed to serve against Ana and accepted nerves got over her at the post match interview.It was Ana so she escaped unhurt, with Serena everyone knows what happens.
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I second everything you’ve said, James. And I’m tired of what I hear elsewhere: everyone thinks that Lucie is doomed and that Serena will kill her. Just the match at the Hopman Cup proves that Lucie can fight back. And she’s even better today, she has played the best tennis of her life this year in Paris, and have showed a mental strength that surprised everyone. Especially when I hear the idiotic French journalists speaking who think that Lucie might not even win any game, I get extremely upset. Lucie is not a teenager that just entered the tour. She has experience, she has all the shots. She’s about to play the current best player in the world, so it will be tough. Maybe she will not win. But I can seriously say that it is not impossible, she has a real chance. I just want her to give everything she has, come after Serena with everything she’s got, believe in herself and her wonderful tennis shots until the last second.
And just because I personally think that Serena’s attitude towards Azarenka on that “ball” that was out, or her “I’m so dying out of sickness but still I manage to run and hit the ball as if I had no pain” was out of line, I would root even more for Lucie. Lucie is not a dramaqueen, she’s there to play tennis, she’s going her own path, always working and always trying to be better. She has showed an amazing progression in the last year, even more in the last 2 weeks, and I have no words to say how proud I am of her and how honoured I am to be a Lucie’s fan.
She’s also won RG in my own eyes no matter what happened. But I hope she truly wins for real, because she deserves this title more than anyone else in this tournament and because I want her to prove all these people wrong: she has earned her spot in the final, she deserves so much to be there and she deserves to win. LUCIE ALL THE WAY. She can do this, and we’re all behind her to get her there.
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Did you even watch the match Serena said to replay the point which was completely fair, Azarenka was the one who was rude get a grip ! Also did you not see her throwing up and barely moving to return some serves/ drop shots, I support Lucie and she is a really nice person, but don’t belittle Serena Williams as there will be a huge gulf in tennis once she has gone and it is people like you who don’t know the whole story who put a negative ‘spin,’ on tennis for others.
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Not tryint to put a negative spin. There was no point in replaying the point according to me. That ball was clearly in, there is no way Serena didn’t see it in. The point should have gone to Azarenka. And on such an important point in such an important tournament, I get why she got upset.
I have always absolutely hated Serena’s game but I usually have nothing against her as an athlete in general (she achieved a lot of great things) or as a person. In this tournament though, I found her whole attitude horrible. When being sick (and I still have trouble to believe that, but I’m not a doctor so who knows), I don’t think you make a whole drama scene out of it. Sharapova was sick also and used to caugh a lot etc, and yet she was more dignified on the court. I am sorrry but I have no respect for how Serena acted in Paris this year. And that is my opinion, you don’t have to agree with me.
That being said – Serena was a bit stronger than Lucie in this final so I’m not surprised or angry at the results. But I respect WAY MORE someone like Lucie. Lucie wouldn’t stop a point when a ball is in, and she wouldn’t show agony on the court only to serve at 200kms a minute later.
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I love Lucie, I really do! Her mental fortitude and ferocious, yet precise, groundstrokes have allowed her to progress to the final without dropping a single set (WOW!); had it been any other opponent, I would have put my money on Lucie to win, however, I think Serena wants that 20th slam way too much to lose tomorrow. Her insatiable appetite for winning more slams has been on full display this week, and her will to win just might prove to be too much for Safarova to handle tomorrow. Williams is hell-bent on beating Steffi (maybe even Court), and is desperately trying to establish herself as THE greatest tennis player of all time (male or female). In most cases, I religiously support the underdog; but when it comes to Serena, I cannot not support her and her quest towards solidifying her place in history. Serena for the win!
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I really do think that if Lucie can master her nerves and handle the occasion, she will win. But first time slam finals can be completely overwhelming for some players, just ask Lisicki.
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Oh lord don’t even mention Lisicki. It still drives me nuts that Bartoli won Winbledon in a year as strong as 2013…
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Lucie or Serena doesn’t matter. I hope it will be a great match.
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Lucie played really well in the second set. Great match so far.
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But she has to conquer Mount Everest now…..beating Serena in third set..impossible…odds moved like the game of Chinese-Checkers i used to play with my brother as a kid.
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Lucie really needs to mix up with varieties. She is still very much one dimension. Not everyone can be hit out of the court. I hope she wins one slam at least.
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