June 30, 2005

Like a goddess rising from the waves. : Playing like the old days and then some, Venus Williams drops Maria Sharapova like a bad habit in the Wimbledon semifinals, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1.

That'll shut 'em up.

posted by lil_brown_bat to tennis at 10:49 PM - 14 comments

I was actually going to make more or less this same post after seeing Venus in the quarterfinal against Mary Pierce. That was a treat to watch: Pierce, an incredibly tough and smart player, systematically trying to exploit the known weaknesses in Venus's game...and finding that they just weren't there. Against Sharapova, same story. If you missed these two matches, be sure not to miss the final -- the girl is playing some incredible tennis.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 11:03 PM on June 30, 2005

This warms my heart as well. I think Venus is a class act, and I'm happy to see that she's not doing playing her best tennis.

posted by psmealey at 04:38 AM on July 01, 2005

A great match - they were both hitting the ball incredibly hard.

posted by BigCalm at 05:30 AM on July 01, 2005

er... not DONE playing her best tennis

posted by psmealey at 07:32 AM on July 01, 2005

And Lindsay is on to the finals as well, beating Mauresmo after the rain delay. Who takes the final? I'm pulling for Davenport, but if Venus is playing strong and focused, she'll be hard to beat.

posted by kokaku at 09:09 AM on July 01, 2005

right on. I haven't seen venus play yet. i'll definitely be watching ths weekend.

posted by garfield at 09:25 AM on July 01, 2005

I would like to see Lindsay win it. She is older and a CLASS ACT. She doesn't grunt like a sow and she isn't full of histronics and in your face attitiude, like so many players these days in any sport. She may not have the goods to beat a stronger player in Venus, but at least we know one thing...an AMERICAN is going to win this thing! We sucked at our own OPEN last month but this one will be ours. And I am glad Sharapova got beat..she is too full of herself and snobby. If the Williamses were both at full-throttle, like they were a few years back, Sharapova wouldn't have won Wimbeldon last year nor would she be getting a sniff of any major event!

posted by bluekarma at 09:35 AM on July 01, 2005

oh, but the girl(Sharapova) is hot!

posted by bluekarma at 09:35 AM on July 01, 2005

at least we know one thing...an AMERICAN is going to win this thing! We sucked at our own OPEN last month There's some confusion here, but whether it's one of dates, locations, or identity I'm not sure. Last month's Grand Slam event, which I think you're referring to, was the French Open. The US Open series begins on July 18th -- that's the hardcourt series leading up to the US Open, which starts at the end of August. oh, but the girl(Sharapova) is hot! Why doesn't this comment surprise me, juxtaposed with a comment apparently confusing the French Open with the US Open?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 12:34 PM on July 01, 2005

I think he meant the US (Golf) Open? I have always loved watching Venus Williams play and am so happy she found a spark at the right time. She had to dig really deep in the first set, and I think it surprised everyone how well she played (maybe even herself) when it mattered most. Maybe Serena will get some of that mojo for the US Open and they will be back as the dominant sisters again. It's just great tennis.

posted by smithnyiu at 01:20 PM on July 01, 2005

Yeah, well, anyway. I'm just glad to see Venus being passionate about tennis again. Lindsay's last great run at glory has been great to watch too, but I have to admit, I'm kind of pulling for Venus now.

posted by chicobangs at 10:20 PM on July 01, 2005

but I have to admit, I'm kind of pulling for Venus now. Me too (could you tell?). The matches vs. Pierce and Sharapova were just such good tennis, and I think the final is gonna be a real treat. As an aside, with all the guys drooling about what a babe Sharapova is (or before her, Kournikova), seems like they never drool over Venus. Why is that? I think she's flat-out gorgeous.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:27 PM on July 01, 2005

but I have to admit, I'm kind of pulling for Venus now. Me too (could you tell?). The matches vs. Pierce and Sharapova were just such good tennis, and I think the final is gonna be a real treat. As an aside, with all the guys drooling about what a babe Sharapova is (or before her, Kournikova), seems like they never drool over Venus. Why is that? I think she's flat-out gorgeous.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:27 PM on July 01, 2005

I watch tennis rarely. Most of the time even matches in major tournaments are wars of attrition. But I still think Evonne Goolagong's backhand is a thing of beauty. And I prefer serve and volley, so for me Wimbledon is the best of the grand slams. I won't get into the babe debate - but which recent movie had the line about which do you prefer, Venus or Serena - ah, trick question?

posted by owlhouse at 11:08 PM on July 01, 2005

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