Well,

Not quite the final I would have wanted from the draw, Serena v Martina, but the next best thing, Maria V Serena. I just didn't want a Clijsters Vaidisova final, I did have a hunch that is how it would turn out but I am extremely glad to be proved wrong.

Not quite sure who I would want to win this.... I am a big fan of Maria and have never been a fan of Serena, until this tournament that is. It is great that she has got this far and shows what an athlete and fighter she is.

I reckon we could be in for a fantastic final here...

:D

You might want to keep the sound down when you watch this folks (unless you want your neighbours to think you're up all night watching a naughty film...).

But yes, this looks to be a fine final, between two of the greatest power players in the womens' game. I tend to prefer Henin and Mauresmo's brand of tennis (single-handed backhands, volleys, etc) but this could shape up to be a really compelling slug-fest, between two very tough players.

I really see a repeat of their 2005 semi here. Neither is at their absolute best and its more than likely to go three sets; but I hope the champion and fighting spirit of Serena will prevail, she's had a thougher road here and beaten some good oppoents.

Go Serena :yahoo:

On a sidenote Kim :rolleyes:
You will be forever a one slam wonder :( Btw Trisco, it's a shame Martina didn't get through as she probably would've done a better job against Maria than Kim :rolleyes:

Serena's fighting spirit is unbelievable! I wonder what her ranking will be i reckon about 12 if she loses and about 8 if she wins (those are guesses based on absolutely nothing btw)

I think it's about 18-19 if she loses and 12/13 if she wins :)

"You might want to keep the sound down when you watch this folks (unless you want your neighbours to think you're up all night watching a naughty film...)."
roflmao roflmao roflmao roflmao

Not the final I wanted - Serena V Kim but hey-ho!

Gotta root for Serena now - nothing against Maria but would like to see serena back at the top and adding to her tally of GS's :ok:

Did anyone see the Kim Maria semi?

I find it quite a bizarre scoreline considering how well I saw Kim play earlier in the tournament. Did Maria just blow her away or was Kim splaying forehands everywhere again?

Im just about to watch it now. Kim MUST've been dire though considering her recent form.

roflmao roflmao roflmao roflmao roflmao

Well I prefer the MoMo and JHH brand of tennis and I was dying to see a breakthrough form the likes of Safina, Jankovic and Vaidisova BUT as the draw was reaching an end I thought that Serena v Sharapova would be an exciting (if not noisy) prospect. That's why i thought they would come through their semis, so both could face each other again for the first time since Shara had the nerve to steal Serena's thunder at Wimby 04. I think the thought of that has driven Serena on, and if there is anyone she'd liek to paste in the final, it woudl eb Maria of course. And Maria has a lot to prove cos if she loses to a comparative veteran, who was down and out last year, then it's going to appear that natural order has bene restored and her reign (well not exactly a reign as only 1 slam in 9 since she got her first, but she has bene riding high of late) is over.

I'm actually really looking forward to this, cos if nothing else there should be a lot of fight and vengeance on that court! When this tournei started there were a few great potential outcomes depending of course on who you support. MoMo proving she can defend, Kim winning in her final year, Hingis coming back to win after retiring, and a breakthrough for a young pretender. Serena coming back to the top after such a logn absence was of course another, and it seemed most unlikely. In this final, the best that could happen for me is that Serena comes back and wins this, proving that she is a great champion and that Maria did not end her career. n That would be a great story and better for tennis than Maria winning! :ok: Whether it is my fave style of play or nto is another matter, I'm rooting for Serena because I think she really has pulled a great one here and she deserves to win now. I also think her game has more class than Maria's and she is more compelling to watch. It had BETTER be a good match though, because if these two huge stars, a multi GS winner and the golden girl of tennis cant; put on a great match then the game is in deep shit and the fans are gonna be very, very dissappointed. Go Serena, but may the best woman win on the day. :D

No way sharapova will trim her down. :wub:

I see more of a repeat of their 2004 final at wimby than anything.

Serena has battled superbly to gt this far in the tournament, no question. But tell me how many top players (I mean really top players) she's had to get past. Petrova in the third round was the best win on this run.

Had Mauresmo come up against her, wshe would have lost, and I believe that is what will happen to serena in the final against Maria, who really is now starting to look like a player who is destined for greatness.

And do you really reckon Serena has a greater fighting spirit than Sharapova? I don't

Objective as ever Sam roflmao

Nice to see you back by the way :D

You may be in for a shock by the way if you see a straight sets win for Maria. As Serena has played the better tennis for a lot of this tournament, and of course she has the greater fighting spirit - Maria can scream louder yes.

I don't believe in a walkover - But Maria is the favourite, because Serena hasn't played a real top player yet. Also, Serena has been close to defeat a few times, Maria, other than the first round which should never have been played, has won without being at her best! :D

The players are equal on fighting spirit - just look at Maria's eyes!

Tell me how you lot think serena will win? Yesterday maria was striking the ball like she was born with one. Yes serena is serving well but she cant rally too long and too many errors.

I just think that it will be a heck of a lot tougher for serena against Maria, because generally Maria will try to dicate points and be able to keep it up with relative consistency, whereas Serena's opponents so far aren't capable of that.

it remains to be seen, should be fascinating! If Maria wins this she will be just the french open away from a career grand slam, like a certain mr. Federer... :D

One word (if she wins) - PRIDE.

I can't see Maria ever winning on clay, unless all the clay court ladies dont; coem and JHH retires. If she does I will promise ot eat my hat!

*runs to wardrobe and finds nothing but a scraggy old baseball cap and a battered wedding hat* :D

I agree roflmao

put the cap away :D

Great final in prospect. I think Maria has played below herself so far in this tourny and Serena has used amazing will power and determination to get this far. I think it will be tight. I am not sure Maria has the same kind of will power Serena has shown, even though in her first match she did display a great deal of it. Before the tournament I would have said this would be Maria's match with no doubt, now I am not so sure...

If Maria plays at 70% or above of her capabilities I feel she will have too much.

Maria is the favourite yes, but not by a massive amount, she hasn't faced a tip top player either apart from Kim :shrug: who was hardly playing her best.

I think Serena's draw has been harder, but I really don't know who will win. You know who I'll be supporting though :D

I just think Maria might well prove a culture shock for Serena - it won't be a double bagel to maria, but I do think she will win

Fair enough :)

Im still in shock that Maria's in the final roflmao

I'm surprised she rolled Kim over so easily!

It has to be said though, Maria hasn't caught fire all tournament has she either?

No not really although she never normally does until the quarters/semis. Im surprised Kim lost so easily too especially considering her recent good form. But you've got to give Maria credit for upping her game in the semis.

I have to say, the final is going to be fascinating, and it is all about how serena copes! :D

Poll added

Erm SB, they've played twice since then :lol:

Once in the in the YEC final (which Maria won :angry: )

And again in Serena's semi here in 2005, which was a classic, how did you forget that one? :D

I agree though Serena will be out for revenge, the last grand final she lost was to Maria she won't want that to happen again.

The only difference, SW19, is that I don't think the match is in Serena's hands - it's in Marias

we're in for quite a match and it could go either way. but i'm going to commit to sharapova in 3 ;)

My Opinion

Head: Maria
Heart: Serena

Serena has the heart of a lion+tiger rolled into one. I don't think she is back to her best (or anything even close, really), so i am convinced she will be going home with the loser's tray! :unsure:

Her ranking is 14 if she wins. I voted for Serena because I prefer her but honestly she isn't in her best form so Shazza will be a problem.

Still SHazza isn't playing amazing but both step up for slam finals.

C'mon Serena - I just hope you find your A form.

they're both big match players.

I'm sorry Sam, but Serena is the best fighter out of the two. Since when did Maria save matchpoints to win Slams? Dont you remember Serena saving matchpoints against maria also. Another testament to the ruthless competitve prowess she has. Sharapova pales in comparison. Serena has 7 slams because of it, and thus justifies her mental belief and fighting quality.

If we're talking about Gatorade- give maria a call roflmao

But talking mental toughness, Serena is by a long stretch :D

In my opinion Serena would be bottom of the list, of who she would want to play in the final!!

Serena really is the only woman that can beat Maria at her best, and Maria knows it!

The match hinges on how well Serena Can play!

Serena in 3 :D :cheers:

Well Venus can also, remember her mauling of Maria at Wimby ;)

Yeah, when Venus and Serena are playing well, such a thorn in maria's side..........

What a potentially great final this will be :D

Go Serena! :yahoo:

Oh i can't wait to see Serena's reaction if Maria tries to communicate with Yuri!

Maybe a ball hit at Yuri! :clap:

Sounds good!

JHH can beat her as well. I remember a certain mauling at the Aussie Open last year.