Creature vs. Creature: Serena Williams vs. Dinara Safina—Serena's Choice

After two weeks of intense heat and unending drama on the women’s side of the draw at the 2009 Australian Open, the final is ready to be unveiled when Serena Williams stands on the other side of the net facing the rising star, Dinara Safina, younger sister of tennis legend Marat Safin.

At stake: the Australian Open Championship; number four for Serena and No. 1 for Safina. You can also throw in the number one ranking. The winner of this match becomes number one in the WTA, supplanting Jelena Jankovic who faded down under. 

It has the potential to be a great match and also the opportunity to set the stage for the emergence of a new leader in the women’s game.    

Serena Williams will win if…

Serena’s Choice—this championship is hers for the taking. All she must do is play the game to her capabilities. No shouting, no screeching, no swearing—just play her game as only she can play it. If she does that—she will win, going away. 

Serena has perhaps the best serve in the women’s game. She also has one of the best backhands. She is quick and agile and moves well on the court. Plus, she is on a roll having won the Australian crown in 2003, 2005 and 2007. Doesn’t it make sense that she should wear it again in 2009?

She has defeated Safina easily in five of their last six meetings. Her only loss to Dinara has been on clay in Berlin and even then it was only after losing a tough third set tiebreaker. Safina has been playing brilliantly—but often inconsistently throughout the tournament this year.

Serena will lose if…

Serena’s march through the tournament has been marked by lukewarm performances.  She has won but not looked in top form except in her defeat of Elena Dementieva in the semifinals. One can say she loses her concentration in the extreme heatvbut they will be playing this game at night and chances are heat will not be a factor...except as it comes across the net generated by Dinara.

If Serena fails to capitalize and take command early, Dinara has a penchant for coming back and winning after seeming to be down and out.

Intangibles… 

The victory for Serena will mark her tenth grand slam win in singles, four of them occurring here in Australia. Serena has won a grand slam on each surface and was the last player to hold all four grand slam titles at one time—the Serena Slam in 2002-2003. 

The impetus for winning the title is an added incentive for Serena as she plays in both the singles and the doubles. It would be a remarkable coup for someone who enjoys the spotlight as much or more than anyone playing professional tennis today...

Rohini Iyer presents the hungry Safina.