Wimbledon Serena's Close Shave
Kristina Mladenovic’s finesse in round 3 of Wimbledon 2018
against Serena Williams, can be attributed to burning the midnight oil, working
on a game plan.
Although Serena won, the figures 7-5,7-6 are an indication
that the game plan worked 80%. What
eroded the 20% were her overhead shots designed to remove Serena from the net
because Serena flattened them down Kristina’s baseline, landing high up like
Mount Fuji.
The master plan had mini strategies to deal with Serena’s
serve, passing shots, the net, backhand, forehand and ground strokes. Kristina also had a plan to combat Serena’s deceptive
shots that look like they will land on the porch but land right inside the living room.
Her hidden agenda was to make Serena run, hoping that she is
not as athletic as she used to be. That
was a mistake because she did run and saved most of the points, but she is not
fit as she was, something she must work on if she continues playing tennis. Kristina also put a top spin on the ball most of
the time, but Serena said you ain’t slick
and, put them away.
What is memorable about the match is how Kristina successfully
returned Serena’s serve, something that results in 6-1, 6-2 for some
players. It is usually 40 love, then
game Miss Williams.
The 7-5, 7-6 score is proof that Kristina Mladenovic fought
to the finish. A match for the archives.
By: Nonqaba waka Msimang.
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