By Elliott Almond, San Jose Mercury News –
WIMBLEDON, England — Serena Williams danced Saturday on the green grass of Wimbledon, a rarefied space that has become her personal playground this summer.
Williams became the second woman to complete what is known as a career Golden Slam by winning the Olympic gold medal with a 6-0, 6-1 rout of Russian Maria Sharapova, a month after Williams captured her fifth Wimbledon crown.
(PHOTO: Serena Williams of the United States celebrates after winning the gold medal in women’s tennis, beating Maria Sharapova of Russia in the Summer Games at Wimbledon, England, on Saturday, August 4, 2012.)
After 63 minutes of demolition derby, the ebullient Williams jumped, hopped and skipped around Centre Court, a reminder that even hardened tour players unleash their inner child when it comes to the Olympics. Older sister Venus Williams captured the dance with her camera phone before showing off a move of her own from the stands.
About the only error on a celebratory day of American tennis occurred during the medal ceremony when the U.S. flag came down because of gusty conditions.
“It was probably flying to come hug me because the flag was so happy,” Williams said. “It was fluttering toward me, trying to wrap its fabric around me.”
Russian flags were not feeling so giddy. All resistance proved futile as the third-seeded Sharapova quickly discovered. Williams, seeded fourth, lost only 17 games in six matches while winning her first singles titles to go with two Olympic doubles gold medals. It was the most lopsided women’s final in Olympic history.
The way Williams has owned the All England Club this summer, her triumph came as little surprise. Perhaps that is why Williams wore a golden scrunchie to help keep the hair out of her face.
Williams matched Steffi Graf as the only women to win the four major tennis tournaments, collectively known as the Grand Slams, and an Olympic gold medal in singles.
Williams’ joyous expression kept the result from becoming just another match on the never-ending professional tour.
“I don’t think she did anything wrong,” Williams said of her opponent. “I was blind today.”
A few hours later, the Williams sisters got a stiffer workout in a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Russians Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova in the doubles semifinals. They will play Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie Hradecka of the Czech Republic on Sunday in the gold-medal match.
With 14 Grand Slam singles titles, Serena Williams has left an indelible mark on her sport. She has become a crossover celebrity whose fame extends well beyond the courts.
“I have singles, doubles, actually everything there is to win in tennis,” Williams said. “Where do I go from here?”
Well, the U.S. Open in New York, for starters. If Williams, 30, can continue the torrid play she showcased on Centre Court, there seems no reason to stop now.
She made one of the world’s best active players look like a junior while winning the first eight games against Sharapova. Even when the Russian found her footing, Williams seemed to counter with an impossible angle. Williams had 10 aces and 24 winners.
“She is playing incredibly confident tennis,” Sharapova said. “She was not making many mistakes, not giving me any opportunities. She had so much power on the ball — even with the wind.”
The breezy conditions seemed to bother Sharapova, who often had to toss the ball on service more than once. The serving issue underscored the kind of day she had.
Her first Olympic experience ended almost before she realized it. “It feels as if I just arrived,” Sharapova said.
Just think how tennis fans felt in the 63-minute match. The audience begin urging the Russian on in an effort to stay around a little longer.
Nothing doing. Once Sharapova finally found a rhythm to take her only game, Williams quickly squashed it. But it’s not as if Sharapova has confidence playing against Williams, who has now won seven in a row against the Russian.
But she knows Sharapova’s capability. As a result, Williams guarded against a letdown.
“She never loses this year,” Williams said of the French Open champion. “She’s playing the finals of everything, so I knew it was going to be tough.”
Just not that tough. It was more like a breeze on an overcast summer day in suburban London.
“I don’t feel invincible; I don’t feel anything,” Williams said. “I just feel good about my game.”
Good enough to try a few new dance moves on adoring fans.
