Serena Williams believes her performances at the 2016 Australian Open have been her best at majors in the past 12 months as she prepares for Saturday's final.
The American world number one went close to completing the Grand Slam in 2015, only to fall in the semi-finals at the US
Open.
Williams has blasted her way into the decider in Melbourne, losing just 26 games to set up a meeting with Angelique Kerber.
In a frightening sign for her rivals, the 21-time grand slam winner feels she is in the best form in a year.
"I would say this is probably the best slam I've played in a year, and I've won a lot in a year. Again, I haven't won this one," Williams said on Friday.
"But even if I don't win, I really can take away that I've been really consistent, and I want to continue that."
While Kerber is heading into her maiden grand slam final, Williams is preparing for number 26.
But the 34-year-old said the excitement levels were still high heading into the decider.
"It hasn't been routine because every match for me is hard, and every match is not easy," Williams said.
"So I always get really excited."
Williams has taken plenty from her experience at Flushing Meadows last year, when she was expected to complete the Grand Slam before a shock loss to Roberta Vinci in the last four.
If she can win on Saturday, Williams will join German Steffi Graf on 22 grand slam titles – second only to Margaret Court (24).
"Everyone has expectations. I'm the favourite. I was the favourite in New York. I feel like I could have done better in New York," she said.
"But that was a learning experience. So I'm going to hopefully take that to the court for not only this tournament but for the rest of these slams."
No comments:
Post a Comment