In Fine Form, Maybe

Fans and analysts have a habit of getting overly excited about the form of the top players when they run over their opponents in the early rounds of a grand slam tournament. (“She’s really dialed in.” “When he’s playing like this, he’s unbeatable.” ) But until the raved-about star faces someone he or she has had trouble beating, it’s hard to tell how well the bigger name is really playing. Sometimes, the kudos are dead-on. Venus Williams, the defending champion, dusted Carla Suárez Navarro of Spain, 6-0, 6-4, in the third round. That match was supposed to be a potential test because Suárez Navarro had beaten Williams in their only other meeting, in January at the Australian Open. Serena Williams’s quarterfinal with the very hard-hitting Victoria Azarenka had potential barn-burner written all over it. Azarenka proved in Miami... [read full story]                    

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