Vitas Gerulaitis famously said after beating Jimmy Connors in 1980 to end a run of 16 defeats against the American: “Nobody beats Vitas Gerulaitis 17 times in a row.”
It was oft-quoted here on Friday, as we contemplated the fate of Maria Sharapova against Serena Williams in the final of the French Open on Saturday.
But the Russian’s mien rarely encourages levity, so she goes to the scene of her daunting examination not with a light step but more like a stubborn Marie Antoinette, determined rather than buoyant about her chances of prevailing against the odds.
She wants not only to keep her crown but to end a sequence of 12 losses against the world No1. It is the most unenviable assignment in tennis.
Sharapova was guarded on Friday but did admit she is trying not to think about her history against the most formidable presence in the women’s game.
Her debut Slam win as a teenager over Williams at Wimbledon in 2004 seems a long time ago. “If I was thinking about it, that wouldn’t be a great mindset, to go into a match like that,” said Sharapova.
{{/usCountry}}Her debut Slam win as a teenager over Williams at Wimbledon in 2004 seems a long time ago. “If I was thinking about it, that wouldn’t be a great mindset, to go into a match like that,” said Sharapova.
{{/usCountry}}“But, yeah, despite that record and despite me being unsuccessful against her, I believe that I’m happy to be setting up chances to be going out and facing her, someone who’s been playing and dominating tennis for almost a year now.
“Her success has been incredible. But going into a French Open final, that doesn’t matter. It all starts from zero. You’ve got to play until the last point, and believe in yourself.”
The Guardian