‘I’m living on the edge’: Serena Williams admonishes herself after another close call
World number one Serena Williams blasted herself for a performance “verging on unprofessionalism” after she needed another three sets to get past compatriot Sloane Stephens in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday.
World number one Serena Williams blasted herself for a performance “verging on unprofessionalism” after she needed another three sets to get past compatriot Sloane Stephens in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday.
Williams beat the unseeded Stephens to reach the quarter-finals, but only after a two-hour encounter on Court Philippe Chatrier that finished 1-6, 7-5, 6-3.
Just as against Germany’s Anna-Lena Friedsam and Victoria Azarenka in the previous two rounds, she needed the shock of losing the first set to jolt her into life.
It’s ok to go two tough sets, but to go three sets back to back to back is verging on unprofessionalism for me
However, there is an omen there for the American superstar – the last time she won three successive matches from a set down at a major was at the US Open in 1999.
Then, as a teenager, she fought back to beat Kim Clijsters, Conchita Martinez and Monica Seles before beating Lindsay Davenport in the semi-finals in three sets and defeating top seed Martina Hingis in the final to win her first grand slam crown.
“It’s not how you start; I guess it’s how you finish. That’s kind of how I’m looking at it.
“Obviously, I’m disappointed. Usually I’m winning in straight sets, and I’m business on and off the court. Now I’m just winning, and that’s a good thing, too. There’s always room for improvement,” said the number one seed.
“I feel like I’m living on the edge but, you know, I’ve got to get off the edge.
