Serena vs. Sharapova is an occasion and spectacle, but rarely a match

NEW YORK—When Serena Williams plays Maria Sharapova, it’s an occasion, it’s must-see tennis, it’s a spectacle. The only thing it isn’t is much of a match. That went double, or maybe triple, for their 22nd meeting, in the first round at the US Open on Monday night. Arthur Ashe Stadium was as packed as it gets, and there was an electricity in the arena that bordered on the circus-like. This was opening night at the Open; this was the first time Serena and Maria had played in three years; and this was Serena’s first return to Ashe since her loss to Naomi Osaka’s in last year’s final.

And then it was all over in 59 minutes.

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Serena, as always, was ready for Sharapova and razor sharp throughout. In the second game, Sharapova cracked a very good forehand crosscourt, only to have Serena reach out and crack an even better one, at a sharper angle, back in the same direction. While Sharapova managed to hold (for the last time that set), a familiar tone between the two women had been set: Whatever Maria could do, Serena could do better. Sharapova would only muster one forehand winner all night, and she wouldn’t win a point on her second serve. When it was over, Serena had beaten her for the 19th straight time, 6-1, 6-1.

Serena said that when she saw her draw, all of her practices after that were “super intense.” And when she missed a few shots and faced a few break points in the second set, Serena bore down and willed herself not to let Sharapova have even a shred of hope.

“She’s the kind of player who gets momentum and just starts going,” Serena said.

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Through the first eight games, Serena didn’t let Sharapova go anywhere. The American played with pace but not risk, hitting to the corners but not near the lines. Even with Serena playing fairly safe, Sharapova was late and rushed on virtually everything.

Sharapova’s moment came—and went—with Serena serving at 2-1 in the second set. Sharapova went up 15-40, double break point. On the second of those points, she had a look at a mid-court forehand, but instead of hitting it into the open court for a winner, she drilled it right back at Serena, who reflexed a winning backhand pass up the line. Serena raised her first, held her serve, and ran away with the set and the match from there.

Sharapova praised Serena’s serving, said her “one-two punch” was overwhelming, and lamented the fact that she had to “face a player of her stature” in the first round.

It may have been Serena’s best match since her return in the spring of 2018. Will it be a springboard for more over the next two weeks? If she can pretend that all of her opponents are Maria Sharapova, she might never lose again.

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