Thirteen-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams survived a much tougher test in the third round of competitions at the 2012 Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles event. The American former world number one barely escaped with her victory against China’s Zheng Jie 6-7, 6-2, 9-7 to reach the fourth round, matching the feat at the All England Club last year when she was just returning from a career and life-threatening injury.
The victory meant a lot for Williams, as can be seen when she jumped up and down for joy after beating the 27th-ranked player, who happens to be a former Wimbledon semifinalist.
“Sometimes you just have to escape,” said former top-ranked Lindsay Davenport.
“Zheng Jie might have played the best match of her life — she just couldn’t break Serena’s serve. I’m impressed with how well Serena played with her back against the wall, how confidently she served,” the 1999 Wimbledon champion added.
Williams, currently ranked number six in the world, had a not-so-stellar comeback during the grasscourt season last year but made a splash during the US hardcourt season, winning two titles and reaching the US Open 2011 final – a match she could have easily won, but surprisingly lost to Australia’s Samantha Stosur.
Her run at the claycourt season this year was spectacular, winning the Premier claycourt tournaments in Charleston and Madrid but was eliminated in the first round of the Roland Garros despite leading by a set and five games against France’s Virginie Razzano.
Up next for Serena Williams is Yaroslava Shvedova of Kazakhstan who’s had a remarkable comeback season so far. Shvedova eliminated Roland Garros finalist Sara Errani in ominous fashion – making a “golden-set” (meaning winning all 24 consecutive points in a set).
When asked if she’s intimidated by this, Williams said “Um, no.”
“She’s a really good player. She’s such a solid player. I look forward to it. Hopefully I’ll win a point in the set. That will be my first goal, and I’ll go from there,” she added.
“It was definitely a gut check. I’ve always been mentally strong, and that’s not going anywhere,” she concluded.
