GLOBAL CHICK REPORTS ON SERENA WILLIAMS’ RETURN TO INDIAN WELLS BNP PARIBAS OPEN IN INDIAN WELLS

Written by: Global Chick on 14th March 2015

GLOBAL CHICK REPORTS ON SERENA WILLIAMS' RETURN TO INDIAN WELLS BNP PARIBAS OPEN IN INDIAN WELLS |

And You’re going to hear me roar…

They cheered as one as she walked into the stadium, she tried to lift her as the nerves seemed to play their part on a rightly momentous occasion, but as always it was on Serena’s racquet to sign off on a Friday the 13th to remember.

For so long now the focus has been on Serena’s return, perhaps no-one thought to think of what the effect would be on her opponent, and almost by happy happenstance, they had never met before.

Up until this moment, all the focus has been on Serena. But as Monica Niculescu walked out, with a beaming smile, suddenly there was a match on, and yes it was a truly emotional moment, she describes as overwhelming, when the World No. 1 took to the court, but that had to be put to one side and smartly. Why?

(L) Monica Niculescu and (R) Serena Williams at the 2015 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Photo by Alejandro Gonzalez.

Well, for a start Niculescu (quite rightly) came to play. As nerves seemed to cripple the World No. 1, the Romanian set up a 2-0 lead and forced Williams into a game that probably seemed to last an eternity for her, as she finally got on the board for 2-1.

Niculescu has what can only be described as a “unique” game. She joked about it in press, even Serena commented that despite never having faced her before, everybody in the locker room knew that game. The slice forehands and chips and loopy balls, they all came flying at the 19-time Grand Slam champion – oh the cheek of it all.

But it was the kind of match that warranted the attention. For all the kvetching that commentators do when a favourite is pushed to the limit sometimes by a first time opponent who has absolutely nothing to lose, it makes for a far batter match for the watching public.

This match warranted the breaks, the break backs, the saving of two match points from Niculescu, only for Williams to finally put the whole hype (in the nicest possible terms) to bed once and for all.

“Boy, she was interesting,” she said. “I just never got the same ball. I just wasn’t able to get my rhythm today. I’m just glad to get through that match. It was definitely a super tricky one for me.”

Predictably being asked question after question about how she felt, when all said and done, she still has a fair few rounds to go. Serena described how she felt she had already won, just by being here, but who is she trying to kid. One doesn’t get to be a 19-time Grand Slam champion by being happy to be there.

Maybe in some small way it will serve as a timely reminder that we have seen a golden age in the sport, but we think Serena will not truly have felt she has moved on until she hoists that trophy aloft for the third time next Sunday.

Topics: BNP Paribas Open, BNPPO15, global chick, Indian Wells 2015, Monica Niculescu, Serena Williams, Tennis News, Wta

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10sBalls_com says:

March 14, 2015 at 10:57 am

GLOBAL CHICK REPORTS ON @serenawilliams’ RETURN TO #IndianWells @BNPPARIBASOPEN IN INDIAN WELLS- http://t.co/u4Fi9kRlny #tennis #BNPPO15