For the first time since 2004, two U.S. women will contest a WTA final on American soil, when Serena Williams and CoCo Vandeweghe face off at the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, California. Williams, 30, has never lost to an American player younger than her. Vandeweghe, 20, is contesting her first WTA final.
"She’s done well and will go out tomorrow and go for the glory and I don’t blame her because I’ll do the same thing," Williams said. "I’m really happy for her and glad she’s American and if she goes all the way and wins tomorrow I will be really happy for her."
Vandeweghe and Serena have never played each other in a WTA match, but they did face each other in World TeamTennis last summer, which ended in a 5-4 win for Williams.
"I have to tailor my game to be able to return and be ready for that big of a serve that you don’t usually see in the women’s game," said Vandeweghe, who hit a 120-M.P.H. serve herself in the semifinals. "But I will be hungry."