Sharapova and Serena to pursue Career Golden Grand Slam in Olympic final
Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams both advanced to the final of the 2012 London Olympics with straight-set victories and are both looking for an upgrade of an already awe-inspiring Career Grand Slam to a Career Golden Grand Slam. Only Steffi Graf has completed a Career Golden Grand Slam so far, winning the gold medal in Seoul in 1988.
Playing her first Olympics, Sharapova was the first to advance to the final, beating compatriot Maria Kirilenko 6-2 6-3. Sharapova hit 35 winners to Kirilenko's 7 and won four games in a row to finish the match after Kirilenko broke for a 3-2 lead in the second set.
Serena joined Sharapova in the final after beating world No.1 Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-2 in just over an hour. Serena hit 16 aces, contributing to the total number of 33 winners, while making only five unforced errors. Serena has now defeated a top-ranked player for the 14th time in her career, while she's been victorious in straight sets in 11 of 12 successive wins over Top 5 players.
The last seven meetings between Serena and Sharapova were won by Serena, who leads their head-to-head 8-2.
Azarenka and Kirilenko will play for the bronze medal on August 4. The same day the gold medal match will be played. (source: WTA Tour, photo: © Neal Trousdale)
Go Serena win the gold and you'll be the only player in history to have won ALL the grands slams and the olympics in singles AND doubles.
You'll just cement your place as the best player of your generation and one the greatest players of all time. You inspire so many african americans, go go superwoman
Serena might deserve the "distinct distinction" more, but MaSha will fight tooth and nail to get that on her wall.
My Verdict: there will be blood.
I know this is an unintentional mistake; but I definitely had a silent giggle upon reading this line:
"Sharapova hit 35 aces to Kirilenko's 7 and won four games in a row to finish the match after Kirilenko broke for a 3-2 lead in the second set."
If Maria were to serve 35 aces per match; she'd win any tournament no qualms about it.
With that being said, super excited about this match – whoever wins deserves it fully!
8enjamin, thank you for telling me about the mistake. I corrected it
Well, the odds are very one sided:
Serena:Maria (1.16 : 5:00)
http://www.bet365.com/home/FlashGen4/WebConsoleApp.asp?&cb=10881724745
Hopefully,it'll not be one-sided and Maria will give Serena a fight.