Page 18 - ARUBA TODAY

A18 SPORTS
Saturday 7 July 2018

Hey, Serena, you've won 7 Wimbledon titles; could 8 be next?

By HOWARD FENDRICH who plays her third-round
LONDON (AP) — It's hard to match Saturday, and No. 7
blame Serena Williams for Karolina Pliskova, a 3-6, 7-6
having some trouble keep- (3), 6-1 winner against No.
ing track of all of her many 29 Mihaela Buzarnescu —
titles at the All England are still around from the top
Club. 10.
"I don't necessarily have to The men have had some
win another Wimbledon in upsets, too, but far fewer,
my career," she was say- and eight-time champion
ing Friday, making a point Roger Federer continued
about not having anything his easy progress through
left to prove, "(because) I the draw by running his
won — was it six times?" Wimbledon streak to 29
Um, no, Serena. It's seven. consecutive sets. No. 8
And the way things are Kevin Anderson and No. 9
looking at the moment, John Isner — the highest-
that count could rise to ranked American man,
No. 8 in a little more than he'd never before reached
a week. Not only is she the fourth round at the
playing like, well, her most grass-court major — won
capable self, smacking 13 in straight sets, while No. Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball to France's Kristina Mladenovic during their
aces while beating Kris- 11 Sam Querrey of the U.S. women's singles match, on the fifth day of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Friday
tina Mladenovic 7-5, 7-6 was eliminated 5-7, 6-4, July 6, 2018.
(2) for a third consecutive 6-4, 6-2 by Gael Monfils of Associated Press
straight-set victory, but also France. Isner next plays No.
the other proven contend- 31 Stefanos Tsitsipas, the first Plenty do whatever they 23, in all.) win. Followed that exact
ers keep losing while she Greek man into the round can to try to beat her, Serena herself is well aware same pattern in the sec-
just keeps on keeping on. of 16 at a Grand Slam tour- knowing it'll usually take that she tends to get oppo- ond round, too. But in the
"I'm feeling pretty good," nament in the 50-year pro- something special to do nents' best. third, she couldn't quite pull
Williams said. "I haven't had fessional era. that. "Every single match I play — off that same trick. Came
any problems yet." Serena was seeded 25th "I mean, it just gives even whether I'm coming back close, though, even eras-
She is now the only woman by the All England Club, more props to her, honest- from a baby or surgery, ing a pair of match points
left in the draw who has a bump from her current ly," said Keys, the U.S. Open it doesn't matter — these in the final game.
won the trophy at the All ranking of 181st, a spot ow- runner-up last year and a young ladies, they bring a Bertens acknowledged
England Club, after her old- ing to her time away from French Open semifinalist game that I've never seen that she thought back
er sister, five-time champi- the game. This is only the last month. "It's definitely before," she said. "It's in- to her previous meeting
on Venus, lost to No. 20 Kiki fourth tournament of her been a challenge that I teresting, because I don't against Venus, at the Mi-
Bertens 6-2, 6-7 (5), 8-6 on return after giving birth last have had to deal with, even scout as much, be- ami Open in March. That
Friday, joining defending September. where all of a sudden, I'm cause when I watch them time, Bertens wasted three
champion Garbine Mugu- It all adds up to an easi- the one that's supposed to play, it's a totally different match points and lost.
ruza, two-time winner Petra er path for Serena, who win and people are play- game than when they play "Of course, that was going
Kvitova and 2004 champ couldn't possibly face a ing with nothing to lose and me. That's what makes me (though) my mind some-
Maria Sharapova as Week seeded player earlier than playing their best tennis. A great: I always play every- times," Bertens said. "But
1 departures. the semifinals. lot of times you just have one at their greatest, so I I was (thinking), 'OK, just
And the number of remain- Next up for her on Monday to weather the storm and have to be greater." keep going for it.'"
ing top-10 seeds is down is Rodina in a matchup be- play better on those big Venus, at 38 the oldest On Berten's third chance
to two after No. 9 Venus tween two mothers. points, and, I mean, the woman in the tournament, to close it out Friday, Venus
and No. 10 Madison Keys "Serena," Rodina said, "is fact she's basically done often has dealt with that put a backhand into the
— beaten 7-5, 5-7, 6-4 Fri- my idol." that her whole career is re- same phenomenon. net.
day by Evgeniya Rodina, Plenty of players look up to ally impressive." During this edition of Wim- "Just ran out of time in the
a qualifier ranked only her. Plenty are in awe when To the tune of 23 Grand bledon, she dropped the end," said Venus, last year's
120th — were sent home. they stand on the other Slam singles champion- opening set in the first runner-up. "It was just toe-
Only No. 1 Simona Halep, side of a net from her. ships. (Psst, Serena. That's round, then came back to to-toe there."q