Serena Williams: What Serena Must Do to Finish Wimbledon Quest

With Wimbledon 2012 underway, the heat has already been on Serena Williams and her hunt for a fifth title on the grass of the All England Club.

After beating Yaroslava Shvedova 6-1, 2-6, 7-5 in one of the fiercest women’s battles you would ever want to see, Williams looks as strong mentally as she does physically.

That is bad news for the rest of the field.

Williams has been dealing with nagging injuries and fatigue from years of non-stop action, but her game is really turning a corner.

Over the last few months, the tennis star has slowly started playing her old, aggressive style and looking like the former champion she is.

Williams told CBS Sports about her nerves in her close call against Shvedova and the will to continue to be great even after going through the struggles of an aging star:

"

I didn’t want to lose today and I thought, ‘Just stay relaxed.’ I knew the whole match I could play better. I feel fine. I’m not tired. I’m not anything. I feel good. I feel like bottom line is I can play so much better than what I have been playing…You know me. I’m never satisfied. I think we both wanted to keep playing because it was so deep into the match. I didn't want to stop.

"

While age is a factor and Williams must keep healthy for her dream run to continue, the main key for the female star is to keep her mind clear of doubt and just play with the swagger that made her a legend.

Wimbledon is the kind of place that can destroy younger players’ days with its degree of difficulty, but Williams knows how to handle it.

Serena’s biggest threat comes from a player like Victoria Azarenka.

Maria Sharapova's departure from the tournament leaves the door open for the second-hottest player to swing in and spoil Williams' fun. Azarenka is a hard server that can withstand what Serena will bring.

Williams vs. Azarenka is a true prize fight with only one clear winner: the fans.

With her confidence back and fierce competition ahead, it’s good to have the old Williams back.

Women’s tennis missed her.

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