If someone tells me the female game can’t stand up to the men’s game then they needed to watch this drama-filled Wimbledon second-round match between Serena Williams and Christina McHale that was impossible to call at any stage. Full of twists and turns, this encounter was a neutral’s dream or a Williams/McHale’s fan nightmare with the unpredictability!
After a fairly routine win against Amra Sadikovic, Williams was immediately given a wakeup call against McHale, by being broken in her first game which included a double fault. Trying to wrestle back the early initiative, Williams wasted four break points as McHale managed to hold serve to take a 2-0 lead.
Looking tentative and trying to force the issue early, Williams gained her composure and drew level at 4-4 after jumping onto McHale’s weak second serve. After a lengthy rain delay and the roof being closed, play recommenced, and the intriguing duel continued to seesaw back and forth and resulted in a tiebreak filled with drama. Saving a set point, Williams nearly sent a smash into the royal box. But McHale continued to grind hard and converted her third set point.
Williams needed to start the second set on the front and she got her reward when she broke McHale’s second game, as she tried to swing the momentum of the tie her way. Stepping up the intensity of her game, Williams raced through the second set to win 6-2 and take the match to a deciding set.
If we thought the first couple of sets were tight, the final one was nip/tuck on the way and you felt like you were on a rollercoaster going back and forth with each player struggling to hold their serve. McHale notably struggled more and was eventually worn down as Serena overpowered her when serving at 4-4. Williams not at her fluent best at any stage did manage to serve out the match as she progresses to the third round. Final score: 6-7(7) 6-2 6-4. (photos: Jimmie48)
That was good 🙂 Serena was not her usual dominating self and McHale did the best she could to take the advantage of the situation. And we got a really good show out of it 🙂
But I don’t envy any Christina/Serena fans, I myself just about got a heart attack yesterday during Radwanska’s match, so I know how difficult it is to look. Any news on Ana Konjuh injury?
We have been getting very good women’s matches this year at wimbledon – Muguruza vs giorgi , all of the venus matches, aga yesterday and serena today. I’m loving it. On side note very unfair for sam querry after leading 2 sets to zero against Novak. Tough luck
sru, I’m sure Nole is going to win tomorrow, with the interruption he got time to regroup 🙂 I was kinda expecting Mugu to fall against Giorgi, when she got past her I thought she’d be back and kicking in the next match.
During Aga’s match I certainly got a few white hairs, I hope she wins tomorrow 6:2, 6:2 in just one hour 🙂
Well since Sru and Maddie brought up the men..don’t worry about Novak..Querrey will “fold like a cheap suitcase” tomorrow. I am just so depressed that my man Dominic Thiem lost to Jiri Vesely in straight sets..but they were all tiebreakers! Really became a fan of the Dominator because on Facebook he always critiques his matches win or lose..and if you make a comment sometimes he will respond. BTW only Murray and Vesely have beaten Nole this year.