Serena Dominates Makarova to Advance to U.S. Open Finals

September 5, 2014 | By Eric C. Peck
Serena_Williams (24)
Photo credit: Calvin Rhoden

World number one Serena Williams needed just one hour to knock off the 17th-seeded Ekaterina Makarova of Russia on Friday to advance to the finals of the U.S. Open, 6-1, 6-3. In the finals, Serena will meet her close friend, Caroline Wozniacki, a winner earlier Friday after China’s Peng Shuai was forced to retire due to cramping. Serena is attempting the first three-peat of a Grand Slam Sunday at the U.S. Open since Justine Henin won the French Open title in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

“I have quite of few friends on Tour,” said Wozniacki of her close friendship with Serena. “For me, I'm pretty good at separating the things on the court and off the court. It's definitely going to be a huge match on Sunday. The friendship, while we are on court, is put aside. We are both competitors. She has to win obviously, but it will be put aside and we will just be out there and fighting for every point. After the match, one of us is going to congratulate the other and we're going to be friends again. It's fine.”

Serena's take on the two's friendship, "If I can play Venus, I can play anybody. I grew up with Venus. We actually lived together going on 33 years, which is kind of sad. So, yeah, if I could play her I feel like I can just play anybody."

Serena holds a 8-1 lead over Wozniacki in nine career meetings. Serena is in pursuit of her 18th Grand Slam singles title Sunday.

"I definitely expect another close match," said Serena of her finals opponent. "She really knows my game well and knows how to play. She's so consistent. I think that's one of the things that makes her really tough. So I just have to be ready for that and, again, just stay calm and be able to relax and be happy. The past six months I would never thought I'd be here. I think it's just staying calm and happy."

Despite her record against Serena, Wozniacki remains optimistic in her chances Sunday.

“I always believe in myself when I go out to play,” said Wozniacki. “I definitely believe that no matter who stands on the other side of the net, I can win the match. The last two times I played Serena, we played really two tough three-set matches. You know, it's going to be the U.S. Open finals. It's going to be a tough one. It's going to be exciting. Either way, it's been a great tournament for me, and I hope that I can get one more win under my belt.”


Eric C. Peck

Eric C. Peck is Editor-in-Chief of Long Island Tennis Magazine. He may be reached by e-mail at eric@litennismag.com

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