A SHOKING LOSS - NOT!!!

 

Both Serena and Venus were subjected to psychological abuse at the mouth of their father, and probably physical abuse at his hands. Their Mom had been admitted to hospital twice with broken ribs.

Champions they are, but only if they feel unthreatened. Leading a match, they will run roughshod over their opponents.

But if their opposition can stay close, their internal temperature rises and an implosion is not far off. Today, was a stellar example.

Tsvetana Pironkova - WHO? - of Bulgaria, stayed close and Venus shattered like glass on rock. Double faults, missed put-aways - it was ugly [more than most women's matches].

Serena could have gone the same way, but struggled past Na Li [7-6, 6-3].

Women's tennis is mediocre, but most matches devolve into psychodramas.

Martina Navratilova was the same - in tears and the match not yet finished.

It's difficult to name any balanced woman player - Kim Clijsters only comes to mind.

Tom Tebbutt in today's Globe touted Serena's mental toughness.

Quite the opposite, Tom, she has an Achilles' head!