Serena’s ranking is a lot like her game. She puts it out there and challenges the world to take it away. As she proved in the 2009 Australian Open, she is the force to beat in Women’s Tennis.
Serena started slowly in the Australian heat and was fortunate to turn back a trio of hard hitting Russian challengers en route to a stunningly convincing 6-0, 6-3 final match victory over third seeded Dinara Safina. The impressive march to the championship was filled with adversity including a near upset by eight seeded Svetiana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals and a tight semi-final match against fourth seeded Elena Dementieva.
The 2009 Australian Open had remarkable similarities to Serena’s overall career. Originally overshadowed by her older sister, Venus, Serena has always been able to rise to the occasion and claim her rightful spot.
As the Melbourne tournament unfolded, Serena got better and better with each round. By the time she reached the finals, there was no turning her aside. Her powerful serve and ground strokes seemed to wear down the opposition.