The pressure got too much for Venus Williams in the semifinals of the US Open, according to former world No.1 Mats Wilander.
Williams missed out of a place in her first final at Flushing Meadows since 2002 after crashing out in three sets to Sloane Stephens. The 37-year-old hit a costly six double faults and 51 unforced errors throughout the two-hour match. Enabling Stephens to power her way into her maiden grand slam final.
“Venus looked a little bit nervous, she looked a little bit nervous in the Wimbledon final too, which is understandable at 37 years old because you’re not going to have many more chances,” Wilander told Reuters.
Chances came and went for Williams during the deciding set as she only managed to convert 2 out of her seven break point opportunities. Partly due to some sublime defensive player from her opponent, who is only playing in his fifth tournament of the year following a foot injury.
“The match-up is bad for her because Stephens gets everything back in play, she’s so fast and shots that usually are winners for her, she has to hit again and hit again and it’s not really Venus’s strength,” said Wilander.
“She likes to hit a couple or three shots and then the rally is over.”
As a result of her loss, Venus ends the season still searching for her first major title since 2008. On the other hand, she had managed to reach the semifinals or better at three grand slam events within the same year for the first time since 2002. Defying the limitations of age.
“She should have won the match but she’s had so much success in her career and when you keep pushing the envelope and keep playing, things turn around and you’re not going to have the same success at some point.” The Swede commented about Williams.
‘I wasn’t playing well’
In her own assessment of the match, a disappointed Williams admitted that she was far from her best form. Illustrated by her unforced error count. A trend that has also caused her difficulty during other matches at the US Open.
“I just wasn’t playing well. Those are moments where you have to dig deep and figure out how to get the ball on the court and have a big game.” Williams explained. “I can’t be tentative and try to figure out how to put that ball in.”
Vowing to ‘continue to play tennis,’ the five-time grand slam champion still has the hunger to succeed. Although she is yet to win a title in 2017. Should she finish the year without one, it will be the first time since 2013.
“For me, it’s about putting myself in the position all the time to get the titles, and that’s exactly what I did.” She said about her US Open performance. “That’s all I could do. So that’s the point of being here is to put yourself in position to win.”
This year is the 20th anniversary of when the world No.9 made her Flushing Meadows debut.
