Serena Williams is roaring back after being down and out in Paris

4 July 2012

Rain Man Dustin Hoffman was in Serena Williams’ corner at Wimbledon over the weekend, although if Hollywood had to be represented at SW19 then weather-beaten officials might have appreciated the presence of ‘Sundance Kid’ Robert Redford rather more.

Naturally, Hoffman had nothing to do with the storms that have blighted these Championships but everything to do with watching and supporting the four-time champion, whose comeback from first-round loser at last month’s French Open to, on the eve of the semi-finals, becoming favourite for the Venus Rosewater Dish might have the makings of a movie script.

At Roland Garros a first opening-round defeat in 47 Grand Slams, to world-ranked 111 Virginie Razzano, left Williams in tears.

But there should be no surprise at her resurgence when it is remembered that Williams saved no fewer than seven match points against her eventual conqueror in Paris.

The younger of the feted Williams sisters — at 30 she is bidding to become the first woman out of her 20s to win a Slam since Martina Navratilova (33) triumphed at Wimbledon in 1990 — offered a succinct clue to the mindset that leaves the sixth seed within reach of a 14th major title to match the haul of Pete Sampras.

“I’m Serena Williams. I’m very confident,” she said.

It showed in yesterday’s straight sets quarter-final win over defending champion Petra Kvitova, of the Czech Republic. Indeed, Williams’ confidence has been the one constant in her life since the two women previously met at Wimbledon two summers ago. The American also won that semi-final before going on to lift the trophy and then, the following week, suffered the cut foot that was to leave her battling health problems for nearly a year.

Now she’s back, with a bang. With the Centre Court roof producing an atmosphere and acoustics that she likened to being in a video game, Williams crashed down 13 aces at up to 120mph, made 27 winners and conceded only 10 unforced errors. Poor Kvitova never stood a chance, especially as she later revealed how she had originally entered her defence in a state of mind that would have been alien to the woman on the other side of the net.

Kvitova admitted: “For me it was difficult when I went on Centre Court and played the first round. It was tough for me to be strong mentally.”

And against Williams? The shaken 22-year-old replied: “That’s why she is a great champion, because she knows what she needs to play in the important points. So I think that it’s really tough to beat her.”

It appears that message has already got through to Victoria Azarenka, the second seed Belarusian who will face Williams tomorrow after dispatching unseeded Tamira Paszek, of Austria, 6-3, 7-6 in their quarter final.

The reigning Australian Open champion was asked if she could recall previous encounters.

“I’ve lost to her most of the time,” said Azarenka, as though haunted by the memories . “I think we played here once only. I don’t remember.”

Here is a reminder: the pair met at the quarter-final stage in 2009, when Williams won in straight sets with the loss of just five games.

“Obviously, she’s a great fighter,” said Azarenka. “She never gives up. You always see that, no matter what the score is, she always goes for her shots. And she has a huge serve, which we all know.”

The impression given is that Azarenka will be several points down before the first serve is made.

For her part, Williams cannot wait, especially as she knows the championship is now hers for the taking with Kvitova and top seed Maria Sharapova out of the way.

“You know,” she purred, like a cat preparing to play with a mouse, “it’s going to be another match where I have absolutely nothing to lose.

“I can just go out there and enjoy myself and have fun.”

Serena Williams is roaring back after being down and out in Paris

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