Serena Williams, the #1 tennis player in the world, is heading to the French Open Finals for the first time in eleven years! Get the deets inside and watch USA track superstar Justin Gatlin run to victory over Usain Bolt...
For the first time since 2002, Serena Williams, who's currently the #1 ranked tennis player in the world, is heading into the French Open finals. Though Serena's last appearance in the finals was a long time ago, her defeat of Sara Errani yesterday (6-0, 6-1) solidified her dominance of the sport. The NY Times described the battle this was,"The match was a virtually flawless session that looked much more like a practice for Williams than a Grand Slam semifinal."
Although Serena only made 12 unforced errors and won 52 points to Sara's 16, she wasn't overly cocky during the post-game interview, and stressed that every game is different. She said her upcoming battle with Maria Sharapova on Saturday could prove very challenging.
"That’s why I really just — every day that I’m doing well, I try to do the best I can. And when I’m not, I just try to fight through it, because my forehand, my backhand, my serve, anything could happen.”
And while she's very focused on Saturday, Serena has been able to soak in her victory and reflect on her long journey to the open.
"I'm very happy to be back in the French Open final 11 years later," Williams told the crowd in French. (Yes...Serena has an apartment in Paris AND she speaks French!) "I'm still here 11 years later. It's so wonderful for me."
Congrats 'Rena!
In other sports news....
Jamaican-born sprinter Usain Bolt may hold the world 100m record, but he was met with a stunning defeat yesterday as 31-year-old American sprinter, Justin Gatlin, sped past him with a 9.94 victory (to Usain's 9.95) in Rome yesterday. Work!
After the match, Usain shrugged off the defeat, calling it a on-off. "The one-offs are never for me. It’s all about the World Championships. I’ve got two months to get it right. You learn more from losing. You can’t win every race in your career, I’ve learned that."
Meanwhile, Justin basked in his own victory, but still paid homage to Usain and what he's brought to the sport.
‘It felt good. It’s an honor to be able to race against him and compete against him. He’s an inspiration for the sport. He’s inspired me to be a better runner and a better entertainer for the fans.
I just want to be able to give him some competition when he’s at top form. He’s a legend and I want to go out and just fight for the end. Much respect.’
After the upset from the 2012 Olympics, it's good to see USA showing that 2016 is going to be FAB. Watch the USA's victory here:
Photos via Yahoo/SplashAP Photo/Christophe Ena