Serena Achieves "Golden Slam" with Dominant Win in London

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By Erik Gudris

(August 4th, 2012) -- For Serena Williams, her performance during the women's singles event this week at the Summer Games can only be summed up in one word -- golden.

Having lost only 16 games entering today's final versus Russia's Maria Sharapova, Williams was the heavy favorite though Sharapova was expected to at least test the Wimbledon champion as both competed for the gold medal. While Williams took several bathroom breaks before the start of the match, perhaps due to nerves, she got off to a near perfect start as she hit three aces to win her opening service game.

With the help of a double fault and two errors from the Russian, Williams broke serve straight away and with her fifth ace of the set held for a quick 3-0. Williams's strategy of blasting service returns right at the Russian's feet paid off in yet another service break and after Williams held serve and then broke Sharapova again to claim a 6-0 set in a mere 30 minutes, many in the crowd cheered on Sharapova in hopes of inspiring her to fight back.

But Williams showed no mercy as she continued ripping winners, including a piercing forehand to jump out to yet another double break lead in the second set. After Sharapova connected on some backhand winners of her own to finally hold for 3-1, the Centre Crowd cheered in relief that they might yet see a close match.

It almost happened when a netted backhand from Williams gave Sharapova her first break point in the next game. Williams saved it but faced another one soon enough that she saved with a swinging volley winner. Williams eventually held for 4-1 and the look of resignation on Sharapova's face showed everyone that even she knew her chance at gold had slipped away.

Williams broke a dejected Sharapova again and then stepped up to serve for the match at 5-1. Williams's serve, that had brought her the Wimbledon title only a few weeks ago, delivered again as the American hit back to back aces to seal a commanding 6-1, 6-0 victory and with it the gold medal.

"I didn't even expect this. I have a gold medal in singles," said an overjoyed and almost speechless Williams who hit 24 winners and 10 aces total to NBC's Justin Gimelstob. When asked if she felt invincible because of her command performance during the week that saw her broken only once Williams said, "I don't feel invincible. I just feel good about my game. I practiced so hard, so hard. It was just time."

Williams is now the first player, man or woman, to complete a "Golden Slam" in both singles and doubles having now won all four Majors and Olympic gold in singles and doubles during her career.

Azarenka Fights Off Kirilenko To Claim Bronze

In the bronze medal match held earlier in the day, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus faced off against surprise semifinalist Maria Kirilenko of Russia that saw both women enter the contest holding two wins apiece against each other in their head to head.

Both players held serve early on in the match until Azarenka secured the first break to go up 5-3. Azarenka fought off a break point against her in the next game with a slice dropshot winner then proceeded to hit three more winners including a backhand down the line to take the set 6-3.

When Azarenka broke the Russian early in the second set to jump out to a 3-0 lead, it looked like the match would be over. But Kirilenko dug in to break Azarenka back and eventually level things at 3-all.

Despite the Russian's resistance, it was Azarenka who kept winning the majority of the extended rallies and that proved the difference late in the set. Azarenka served for the match at 5-4 and though Kirilenko saved one match point with a volley winner, she sent a forehand into the net on the second match point to give Azarenka the 6-3, 6-4 win and with it the bronze medal for Belarus.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)