Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova have played each other 21 times since they first faced each other across the net in the fourth round of the 2004 Miami Open. But their meeting in the opening round of the 2019 US Open will be the first time they will be meeting each other at Flushing Meadows.
The draw’s pick both shocked and awed everyone. Even though the American’s records against the Russian – except for two back-to-back losses in 2004 – proclaim it to be a lopsided rivalry. This one-sidedness of the rivalry notwithstanding, the momentousness of their meeting is undeniable.
The reason for that is the intertwining of their careers, even when their professional spheres digressed and separated in the unfathomable of ways. Williams was the opponent against whom the 16-year-old Sharapova won her first Major at the 2004 Wimbledon. Later that year, Sharapova won her second match against the 23-time Grand Slam champion at the WTA finals to take a lead in their head-to-head. It was the only time the five-time Grand Slam champion was ahead of her older colleague. Each time thereafter Williams played Sharapova, she made sure that her lead between her and her rival was never under any threat.
The head-to-head heft in Williams’ favour against Sharapova would not have been reminded so frequently and often with biting vehemence had it not been for one incident.
In the days leading up to the release of Sharapova’s autobiography in 2016, there was frequent attribution (based on the book excerpts) to Williams crossing Sharapova’s path, both on and off the court. The contents of the book itself were not so focused towards the world no. 8 but the cut-out portions of the book made it seem like Sharapova was envisioning Williams as more than her professional nemesis.
That the ladies never got a chance to play since Sharapova’s return to the Tour after her 15-month ban ended in 2017 kept these externally-driven flames raging. Their fourth-round face-off at the 2018 French Open was called off at the last minute after Williams withdrew with an injury. Had the two met a year ago, emotions would not have been as high as they are now, before their designated clash on Monday, 26th August.
Or, perhaps not considering what this opening match connotes for the six-time US Open champion at the venue.
The infamy surrounding Williams’ behaviour against Naomi Osaka in 2018 final has not subsided, and opinions are still divided about her being wronged by Carlos Ramos. This is Williams’ chance for side-lining the recent past by giving her present a strong start. Even if it paradoxically comes through against an old, equally time-tested combatant.
