Venus Williams Remains a Tennis Superstar
Not yet 30, the World's No. 3 Player Still has Things to Accomplish
Aug 1, 2009
Williams, ranked third in the world, beat Elena Dementieva, ranked fourth, 6-0, 6-1, and it may not have been even as close as that. It was, as the saying goes, like taking candy from a baby.
"I concentrated on besting her on every point," Williams said. "I will continue developing my game on all fronts."
Strength, Speed are Venus Trademarks
Venus Williams, at her best, is still the best women's tennis player on the planet. Dementieva was the first to acknowledge it.
"She was playing too good for me," Dementieva said. "She's one of the toughest players on the tour. I don't have good statistics against her."
Dementieva was coming off her best tournament yet, reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon before losing to Serena Williams in a grueling three-set match. This was no ordinary opponent for Venus.
"I'm always looking for things to do better," Williams said. "I felt my best during the last two games. I was able to get into a better rhythm, clean up my game and stop making fundamental mistakes."
Williams was impressive against Dementieva, using a powerful baseline game and attacking her opponent with skill and precision. Still, she wasn't that impressed with herself.
"Things are going well for me but I seem to want more," she said. "A lot of the time I am impressed. Wimbledon; I was happy with my performance."
What the Future Holds
Williams is looking for her first outdoor hardcourt title since last winning at Stanford in 2002. That year she used the event as a starting point for a 19-match winning streak, which lasted into the U.S. Open.
She was asked about that summer and how it compares to the player she is seven years later.
"It would still be a tough match with Venus of '02 but I'm betting on the Venus of '09," Williams said. "The Venus of '02 didn't like to slice. Now I want to slice."
Williams, a five-time Wimbledon champion, hopes to gather enough momentum during the U.S. Open Series to win her third U.S. Open title, and the first since 2001.
Williams, who made her professional debut at the Bank of the West Classic when it was held in Oakland in 1994, has won 41 singles titles, including seven Grand Slam titles.
She reached her seventh final. in eight appearances, at Stanford. She'll also be playing in the doubles final with Serena Williams. A win would be the 14th doubles title of her career, of which nine have come in Grand Slam tournaments.
"Serena and I are getting a lot better at doubles," Williams said. "We're quick studies."
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