“I feel like I have been serving well so that’s been really good. Working really hard on that” – Serena Williams

Williams used her serve to get her out of two holes during her doubles quarter-final and said later that she had been working hard on it during her time away

Serena Williams of the U.S. in action during her doubles quarter final match at Eastbourne International Image Credit: AI / Reuters / Panoramic

Haresh Ramchandani

June 23, 2022

Serena Williams is known to have one of the best serves in the women’s game. On Wednesday, the American used her serve as a big weapon as she and partner Ons Jabeur defeated Hao-Ching Chan and Shuko Aoyama 6-2, 6-4 to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Eastbourne International.

Williams held her serve throughout the match and used her serve to get herself out of trouble more than once. The 40-year-old slammed three aces to rally from 15-40 down in the second game of the second set, then served her way out of two more break points from 2-3, 30-40.

But none of that came by chance or luck. Williams said she has been working hard on her serve during her time away from the tour.

“I have had some really good training leading up to Wimbledon and up to this tournament, and really hitting the ball well and just working out, and it’s been working. It’s just been connecting. … I feel like I have been serving well so that’s been really good. Working really hard on that,” Serena Williams said as per the WTA Tour website.

“I think I’m learning from the best how to serve much better.” – Jabeur on Serena Williams’ serve

Her partner, Jabeur, is known for her great artistry on the court and said playing along side Williams has been a great learning experience, one which she hopes to repeat again.

“We played much better [than in the opening round]. I think we are getting used to each other now. I am ready for more tournaments, to be honest with you. I think I’m learning from the best how to serve much better,” Jabeur said.

The duo, dubbed OnSerena by Williams herself, will take on Aleksandra Krunic and Magda Linette in the semi-finals on Friday. WIlliams is scheduled to play her first singles match in a year next week at Wimbledon.

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