Serena Williams: Why Serena Controls Her Own Fate at US Open 2011

Let's be nice and say that Serena Williams was tested in her third-round win against Victoria Azarenka.

Whether it was a real test or not is a matter of some debate, but the fact is that it was a straight-set win.

There was never really a point in the match when anyone thought that Serena was in trouble. Williams blasted through the opening set at 6-1, and then held on to win the second-set tiebreak 7-5.

The next round was similar, as she beat Ana Ivanovic 6-3, 6-4. Compared to Serena's first two matches, these two look like the John Isner vs. Nicolas Mahut match from Wimbledon in 2010.

But nothing has happened thus far to indicate that Serena is in any danger of dropping a set, let alone a match.

Now, she faces No. 17 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a quarterfinal showdown. What makes anyone think that this will be any different?

To be fair, I haven't really heard anyone say that it will. Pavlyuchenkova has twice been taken to three sets in her four matches and is now further than she's over been at a US Open.

Serena, on the other hand, hasn't dropped a match since Wimbledon, is a three-time US Open champion and is on her way to becoming perhaps the best player in the history of the women's game.

When Venus Williams withdrew, I worried that Serena might be a little distracted.

Azarenka is a strong hard-court player who could take advantage of any mistakes Williams would make. That didn't happen.

Williams can still make mistakes, and that's the only thing that will beat her. Her temper has gotten her into trouble in the past. That can't happen here.

If she controls her temper and lands her serves, nobody will challenge her.

The toughest match of her tournament will have been against Azarenka.

No other player will beat Serena in a match or a set—or even come close. The only player who can challenge that is Williams herself.

Judging by what we’ve seen so far, I wouldn’t bet on that happening.