Handed a tough first-round opponent in the shape of Maria Kirilenko, Venus Williams survived a mid-match lapse in concentration in Cincinnati today, defeating the Russian 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-2.
It could and perhaps should have been 6-3, 6-3. Kirilenko, like Williams, was a doubles medalist at the London 2012 Olympics. The No. 2 Russian has reinvented herself into a solid all-court player and narrowly missed out on a singles medal in London, losing to top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in the bronze-medal match. With that in mind, the first set and a half of Williams’ victory today looks even better. Kirilenko could not get near Williams’ serve in the first set and at 3-4, a double fault from Kirilenko for 15-15 opened the door for Williams and despite a sublime low pick-up volley, Williams’ greater weight of shot earned her a break point. The American wild card may be a step slower moving side-to-side than she used to be, but the way she eats up the ground moving forward is still a sight to see as she chased down a Kirilenko drop shot for a winner to break.
In the only sign of physical issues she displayed during the match, Williams grimaced in pain and took a long time shaking out her left hand and wrist, but she had no problems in serving out the first set, taking it 6-3 as Kirilenko blasted a forehand wide. Good second-serve returns from Kirilenko earned two break points for the Russian at 0-1, but Williams saved both before pressing hard on Kirilenko’s serve at 2-2. Kirilenko’s weaker forehand began to tell and she double-faulted the break away at 2-2, then broke back immediately but couldn’t consolidate and Williams produced a significant love hold for 5-3 including three aces. She could not break Kirilenko’s serve at 3-5 despite three double faults from the Russian, but surely that would not matter as all she needed to do was serve the match out.
Unfortunately, that was precisely what Williams could not do. With Kirilenko fighting hard to get the ball in the court on the return of serve, Williams gave away one break of serve, then tried again, serving at 6-5, for the same result.
Mired in a tie break that should have been avoided, she served a double fault to go down 2-4 and Kirilenko came up with well-constructed points to take the second set. Taking the bizarre decision to leave the court for a 15-minute comfort break stopped Kirilenko’s momentum cold, however, and Williams, who remained on court during Kirilenko's hiatus, regrouped well to remain on top throughout the second set, breaking early and holding on to her serve. If she had had to serve for the match for a third time, we might have seen a repeat of the second-set collapse, but despite a 40-0 lead serving at 2-5, Kirilenko dropped the ball short a few times for Williams winners, fatally misjudged what should have been a winning forehand volley and served her eleventh double fault to lose the match. It’s a strong win for Williams over a woman ranked 50 places higher than her and an excellent start to the tournament.