HOWL: Allen Ginsberg‘s seminal poem “Howl” famously referred to the “best minds of my generation” and their effort to break through the smothering conformity of the ‘50s. Serena Williams
’ ear-splitting “howl” at the beginning of the second-set tiebreak against Li Na marked a stunning effort by the best (tennis) woman of her generation to break through, as she reeled off six straight points in the second-set tiebreak to prevail in a match filled with poetic justice. (BTW: Ginsberg’s “Howl” is known for its staccato insights. Serena’s “howl” brought out the inner-Ginsberg in Mary Joe Fernandez, who spoke of Serena noting, “Her will, her heart, her courage.”)
HENIN HOMAGE: ESPN’s homage to Justine Henin was as follows: “The precise strikes, the painted angles, the athletic stances, the balletic leaps. The timing, the speed, the balance and, of course, the backhand. Her return will have repercussions in the rankings and results. But the beauty of her game is what tennis missed the most.”
SAY IT AIN’T SO: Martina Navratilova broke her arm playing hockey when she fell on herself.
TRENDING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: It took Serena seven match points to beat Li Na at Stanford last July. It took her just five match points to beat her at the AO.
GO FIGURE: Li Na was No. 1 in the tournament for forehand errors and backhand errors, but was also No. 1 for forehand winners and backhand winners.
JUST A SLIGHT EXAGGERATION: Navratilova said Li Na and Zheng Jie “had a billion Chinese on the edge of their seats.”
SERENA’S DOZEN: Serena’s seeking her 12th major win that will tie her with Billie Jean King (who just happens to be in Melbourne).
BACK-TO-BACK: Prior to the AO, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga hadn’t played one five-set matches. Now’s he’s played two in a row.
BURNING QUESTIONS: Will Serena be able to jump all over Henin’s less-than-imposing serve? Will all of Serena’s lengthy play — getting through the singles and doubles — finally catch up with her?
THE NUMBERS
2: Combined aces hit by China’s Li Na and Zheng Jie in the semis.
QUOTEBOOK
“The dream continues.” — Henin on reaching the AO final
“Oh my God, there’s no Russian in the semis.” — Serena
“Maybe I take beer tonight.” — Li Na’s thoughts on playing Henin
“I appreciate the unity of body and mind to tennis. It’s my body stage for perfection.” – Li Na
“This is how tennis is suppose to be played.” — Navratilova on Henin
“She’s just a wreck.” — Text message to Pam Shriver from someone in the Williams camp
“Henin is more of a dictator.” — Navratilova in reference to Henin’s style of play (not her political tendencies)
“There are very few crazier than this one.” — Chris Fowler on the Roger Federer–Nikolay Davydenko match
“Can Justine Henin step any closer to return serve? She almost volleyed that.” — Mary Carillo
Just before a couple of pigeons almost landed on Henin’s head, Cliff Drysdale said, “She’s a sparrow of a girl, but she’s got a heart of a lion.”
“I’m still wondering why she retired.” — Drysdale
“It reminds me of a song from one of my favorite ‘Odd Couple’ episodes, ‘She’s happy and peppy and bursting with love.'” – Carillo on Henin
“This is an annihilation.” — Navratilova on Henin’s 6-1, 6-0 beat-down of Zheng Jie
