TENNIS AUSTRALIAN OPEN CHAMPIONSHIPS WOMEN'S FINAL:SERENA WILLIAMS has been sharpening up for today's final against Dinara Safina with a winning doubles run alongside Venus in Melbourne yesterday.
Rather than focus on the women’s showpiece finale as Safina, who opts not to play doubles, Williams was racking up her eighth grand slam doubles title with her sister as they defeated Daniela Hantuchova and Ai Sugiyama in straight sets.
“(Playing doubles) definitely helps my singles,” Williams declared after the 6-3 6-3 victory. “I have a great partner. I don’t have to work too hard out there, just hit some big serves. Venus hits some big serves. We put the ball away.
“Most of all, I love to play doubles. For me it’s great practice, great fun. If I’m really fit then I like to go for the win in both events.”
Having bagged the first half of her double yesterday, Safina stands in her way of a fourth Australian Open title and a 10th grand slam singles title overall. Williams has won every other year in Melbourne since 2003, so the odds are looking good for that streak to continue, despite some scratchy form so far.
The 27-year-old American seems supremely relaxed about reaching the double-figure milestone, joking that if she does win: “I’m sure that people that have 10-plus grand slams get special letters. I’ll be part of a really elite club.”
She continued: “Obviously I desperately want to win, and she does, too. I feel like whether I get 10 today or whenever, it’s gonna happen sooner or later.”
Williams will be playing in her 13th grand slam final, while Safina has only a final appearance at the French Open to her name, where she lost to Ana Ivanovic.
Both admit to idolising and being inspired by elder siblings.
In Safina’s case she would love to follow in elder brother Marat Safin’s shoes and add another Australian Open trophy to the family cabinet following his 2005 triumph over Lleyton Hewitt – and repeat his feat of reaching number one in the world.
“It would be amazing to have the same trophy as my brother. A dream come true,” enthused Safina, who will become the top-ranked player should she win.
Williams, meanwhile, looks no further than her sister for inspiration.
She joked: “I idolised Marat too. I can totally understand.”
On a more serious level, Williams, who can also reclaim her world number one spot if she wins, said watching Venus in success and defeat had been of huge help to her in a career that has spanned 14 years and seen her become the highest prize-money earner in women’s sport with over €20 million.
“I looked up to Venus. When she was in her final (at the US Open) in ’97, I remember I was in the stands and I wanted her to win, I think even more than she wanted to win, because I wanted it so bad for her,” Williams said.
Safina has already said she feels mentally better prepared for this final than the one at Roland Garros where she felt the title match crept up on her.
“I was like, ‘Take one match at a time, one match at a time’, then suddenly you’re in the French Open final,” the Russian said.
“All of a sudden you want to win, there’s all the pressure. I hope all the experience I went through in that match will help me for my match tomorrow.”
Safina is renowned for going for her shots, much like her brother. Her aggression means she misses as often as she hits winners, but she will not be turning down her fiery nature on court.
“Everyone has their own personality,” said Safina.
“I have this one that if I will not pump myself up, I will be just too calm and there will be nothing going out, no fire coming out of myself.”
