Sharapova, Azarenka scream, Williams creams Errani

On day 12 of Roland Garros we learned that Maria Sharapova and Viktoria Azarenka can have a real scream on court. Sara Errani was simply creamed by Serena Williams.

Maria Sharapova Reuters/Philippe Wojazer

• There’s a serious case for free ear plugs or pills to alleviate headaches. Defending champion Maria Sharapova and the third seed Viktoria Azarenka traded base line blows and screams during their three set semi-final slugfest. It was loud. All sorts of merchandise are proffered to spectators in the Roland Garros enclave, this is a health and safety issue.
• It’s important to be generous. Italian fifth seed Sara Errani was last year’s beaten finalist. She took on top seed Serena Williams in the semi-final. Williams seemed to be taking on the clock. It was all over in 46 minutes 6-0 6-1. Errani reflected, “Serena was unbelievable. I tried up until the last point.”
  

• Serena does have a heart, though. In the wake of Errani’s obliteration, Williams was asked whether it was soul destroying for her opponents. “Soul destroying? No, I wouldn’t say that. I just go out there and try to do the best I can.”
• For all Sharapova’s loudness and Williams’s touchy-feeliness, the final will be fascinating. Williams is on a 29-match winning streak and she has beaten Sharapova 12 times on the trot. But if anyone can sow the seeds of doubt, it is the Russian second seed. She is the deafening – sorry defending – champion and will not be intimidated by the American’s power.
• As tennis heads up the dark recesses of the industrial entertainment complex, the backwash is, to say the least, slushy. Post-match interviews on the show courts are now the norm. The public love Roger Federer because he can communicate in fluent French. They admire Rafael Nadal because he is one of the greatest clay court warriors but he only does Spanish and English. Novak Djokovic has taken recently to saying a few words in French and so too has Serena Williams. My how everyone coos when Novak and Serena say un petit something en français. I’m reminded of a song from way back which chirped, “I want you to want me. I need you to need me. I love you to love me.” Band name? Cheap Trick.