Defending champion and top seed Serena Williams outlasted a tough second set challenge from Dominika Cibulkova to win 6-0, 7-5 and advance to a likely fourth round showdown against No. 16 Maria Sharapova.
Wimbledon: No. 1 Serena Williams Hammers 20 Aces, Beats Dominika Cibulkova
The biggest story of the match was Serena’s serve, which was utterly dominant against the diminutive Cibulkova. Serena fired off 20 aces, her highest total in several years.
But Cibulkova too was impressive, digging herself into the second set of the match effectively. She not only served well (holding five times), she anticipated Serena’s shots much better better, allowing her ample time to get to each ball in time to lean into it effectively and drive it over the lowest part of the net.
Serena played extremely well throughout, but all the same seemed dissatisfied with her performance after the match. If that (somewhat irrational) disappointment in herself means that she’ll play even better in the next round against Sharapova, then I suppose its a good thing.
See More:
