The final matches of the French Open have given us some extraordinary tennis with players pushing each other to the extreme in order to overcome their opponents.
– #360LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka
– French Open diary: Kuerten recalls Paris highlight
– French Open: Serena Slam now looms large
– VIDEO: Highlights from Williams’ Paris victory
Novak Djokovic described his five-set, two-day win over Andy Murray as a “cat and mouse game”, while Serena Williams switched the racquet to her left hand and hit a sensational lefty forehand during a gruelling rally with Lucie Safarova in their final on Saturday. A rally which Williams ended up winning.
“That was the shot of the tournament for me, it was a very important point too. What I liked about it is that it wasn’t a lob, I literally hit the c*** out of that ball,” said Williams.
“I play lefty a lot, every year we have a lefty tournament so I knew the Williams Invitational would come in handy and it [did]. I hit that forehand up the line Rafa-style. I was surprised she got it back, so I had to keep running. I just want to see the replay of that point.”
And did she win the Williams Invitational this year?
My favorite shot of the tournament. I rarely hit lefty but Lucie Safarova have me no other… http://t.co/vpPFCqnuQq pic.twitter.com/BNHWXwRey2
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) June 7, 2015
“We didn’t play tennis this year but we did win the dance competition and the dodgeball,” said the American.
If that lefty shot was point of the tournament for Williams then the supporter singing Alicia Keys “This girl is on fire” in the stands during the final has to go down as fan of the tournament.
Never has a chant been more apt than that.
As for celebration of the tournament, how about that post-win photo of doubles champions Bethanie Mattek-Sands, Lucie Safarova and their teams on Sunday.
2015 FrEnCh oPen cHaMpS. Until next year Paris. Thanks for the love #teamsafarovamatteksands #RG15 pic.twitter.com/lR2vdv5E9C
— Rob Steckley (@robsteckley) June 7, 2015
“It was my coach’s talent,” Safarova said laughing.
Mattek-Sands added: “It’s like his second career. We did a little photo op. We did one for Australia where we were jumping, so we said, We have to do it again for French Open. We let him be the creative director for our little post match photo shoot. He normally comes up with something good.”
Fool me twice, shame on me
Meanwhile, Murray made sure he didn’t fall into any traps in his post-loss press conference.
Murray asked to compare his level to Djokovic’s: “I’d suggest it’s pretty close after today’s & yesterday’s match http://t.co/fe3B41bUm2
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) June 7, 2015
In Australia in February, Murray had briefly discussed how he got distracted in his final against Djokovic, who suffered from cramps during the match, and the Scot ended up being described as someone who was giving excuses and criticising Djokovic.
After his Roland Garros semi-final with the Serb, members of the British media tried to get Murray to speak about Djokovic’s seven-minute off-court medical timeout between sets and whether the Scot thought it was a fair thing to do.
“I’m not getting into that. I said one word after my match with Novak in Australia and it was like I was complaining and trying to be a sore loser. That’s not what it is. Everyone is entitled to take the medical timeouts when required, and that’s what it is,” said Murray.
You can’t blame him for sitting on the fence, considering he was burnt the last time he expressed an honest opinion.
