SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Erik Gudris | Friday, March 19, 2016

 
Serena Williams Indian Wells Semifinals 2016

Serena Williams overcame a slow start to get past Agnieszka Radwanska and return to the Indian Wells final.

Photo Credit: Getty Images


In a battle of the current WTA No. 1 and soon-to-be No. 2 ranked players, Serena Williams prevailed to reach the BNP Paribas Open final for the first time in nearly 15 years.

Indian Wells: Djokovic Sets Up Semi Showdown With Nadal

Williams faced off against Agnieszka Radwanksa in their semifinal. Williams easily won their previous meeting in the Australian Open semifinals. But Friday evening’s contest proved much closer with the Polish star promising in her pre-match interview to pull out more tricks from her arsenal.

Radwanska didn’t need to do much as she secured an early service break over Williams. Radwanska would hold seveal more break points later in the set. But Williams managed to hang on to her serve and stayed in touch for 3-2.

Williams, after a slow start, finally appeared engaged in the match. With several big returns, Williams broke back later for 4-all after Radwanska missed a forehand wide.

With a lunge volley winner, Williams moved ahead for 5-4.

Williams then stepped up her game. With a fine topspin lob, Williams led 0-40 on Radwanska’s serve to hold several set points. Williams eventually converted with a forehand winner to take the set 6-4.

The early stage of the second set was all about Williams. Hitting winners at will, Williams opened up a 3-0 advantage.

Radwanska, who played aggressive tennis and tried to go for bigger first serves, did not fade away though. Taking advantage of Williams’ errors, Radwanska fought her way back to 3-all in the set.

With each player holding serve, it was Radwanska who eventually took the lead.

A perfect forehand return winner from Radwanska created a break point opportunity for her. Radwanska then forced a Williams vollley error to break for 6-5.

But Williams responded right back. With a huge roar, Willams celebrated hitting a winner that gave her a break point chance. The top seed then ripped a winner to break back and force a second set tiebreak.

Though Radwanska won the first tiebreak point, it would soon be all about Williams. With big returns and even bigger serves, Williams raced ahead to a 6-1 lead.

With a powerful forehand, Williams finished off the set and the match 6-4, 7-6(1) to reach the Indian Wells finals for the first time since 2001.


It was really good for me to have a match like that,” Williams said to ESPN’s Pam Shriver after her win, “I think that’s the reason Aggie is doing so well because she never gave up. I was up so much in the second set and she just came back more determined so it was really good to play her tonight.”

It’s the first time Williams will be in the final since the controversial semifinal that prompted both her and her sister Venus Williams to boycott the event until this year.

When asked by Shriver what she expects to hear in Sunday’s final, Williams said, “Go USA!”

 

Latest News