I Love The Nightlife - 網球

05/09/2007:

A turbo charged Justine knocked down tennis superstar Serena Williams in the
quarterfinals on Tuesday night 7-6 (7-3) 6-1. The Belgian tennis queen silenced
the anxious crowd and doubting American critics with tremendous shot making,
and champion's poise. Justine now leads their major head to head record 4-2.


"I played a very good tiebreak. Playing Serena is very exciting for me. I had a
great night and the atmosphere was just fantastic. I am very happy about my
second set, I took all my opportunities, I returned better and am very happy
tonight. I hope I can just keep going." - JUSTINE
ꘊ

Justine arrived in New York for the great matches, and none is bigger than
taking on an American at Arthur Ashe Stadium in the US OPEN. Unlike at other
majors around the world, the US OPEN isn't coy about traditions or decorum.
Everything at this tournament is bigger, brighter, louder, and richer. It's
tennis, Las Vegas, Hollywood, Wall Street, Madison Avenue and broadway all
rolled into one. The build-up for this quarterfinal could not have been less
blatant.

Tension soared sky high as the day session Djokovic match pushed back the start
time for the night session an hour. Thousands of spectators waited outside of
Arthur Ashe Stadium to enter. Instead of starting the match when the evening
ticket holders were seated Justine and Serena came on court as people slowly
packed the sold out stadium. The first game began with seats half filled. But
Justine didn't seem to notice anything beyond the tennis court as she broke
Serena, and won her own service game racing off to a 3-1 lead. Serena's A+
serves, and groundstrokes levelled things quickly, yet both players seemed
chained by the occassion. Free swinging wasn't seen by either player until
the tiebreak when Justine unleashed herself with an array of dazzling shots to
break the famous Williams serves. In surpreme style Justine won the tiebreaker
7-3.

The rage of Serena Williams could be felt from high above Arthur Ashe Stadium,
but Justine simply continued her merry way in the second set with sizzling
passing shots. Everything Serena tried was answered by Justine with speed and
percision. There was no threat or dread of a Williams comeback. Serena looked
beat from 3-1 as Justine picked up the tempo once more to close in for match
points.


Final score 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 in 1 hr 37 mins.


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