Marion Bartoli cuts an imposing figure when she returns serve. The stout Frenchwoman first shows off her forehand and backhand with shadow strokes—actual swings, not slow-motion versions—and proceeds to rapidly hop, gearing up for what's coming her way. On second serves, she creeps in well past the baseline, giving the server even more to think about.
Strong servers can block out such peripheral distractions and go about their own routine. Peng Shuai was not one of them today. Her first serves were unthreatening; her second offerings were there for the thwacking. Bartoli obliged, teeing off on weak second serves throughout the match, a 6-2, 6-2 rout. She didn't have to do it all, though: After serving no double-faults in the first set, Peng proceeded to hit four in the opening service game of the second (she ended the game with three in a row). In her next service game, after recovering from an 0-40 deficit, Peng dropped serve again after two more doubles. It wasn't what you'd normally see from a professional player, the commentators said. True, but it was exactly what you'd see from a recreational player—seemingly random instances of spotty serving. If nothing else, we related to Peng's plight.
Peng is no rec player, of course. Currently ranked No. 38, she hits with two hands on both sides, just like Bartoli. But there's many reasons why Bartoli has reached a Wimbledon final and cracked the Top 10, while Peng has yet to enter the Top 30. One is footwork—the two-handed forehand limits what ground you can cover, so proper positioning is paramount. Bartoli isn't the fastest player out there but her movement is calculated, and it allows her to get good hits on wide balls. Peng struggled in that respect today; she often resorted to a one-handed forehand out of necessity. If the shot stayed in, it was most often a weak reply. Many didn't.
Another difference between the players' shots is power. Bartoli's comes naturally and her shots are struck with consistent pace. Peng hits occasional groundstrokes that zoom through the court, but she isn't as consistent with her speeds. Both hit flat, and a flat shot without much behind it isn't very effective, especially against someone like Bartoli. She has the better shots and was certainly the better player today.
—Ed McGrogan