AFP/London
Serena Williams believes her Centre Court scare against China’s Zheng Jie was the perfect preparation for the sterner tests that lie ahead in the second week of Wimbledon.
Serena Williams celebrates her third round women’s singles victory over China’s Zheng Jie on day six of the 2012 Wimbledon Championships tennis tournament at the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, London, on Saturday. (AFP
Four-time champion Serena narrowly avoided an embarrassing third round exit on Saturday as she fought back from a set down to grind out a gritty 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 9-7 victory over the tenacious Zheng.
While the sixth-seeded American would have preferred a routine straight sets win, she is convinced the experience of coming back from the brink will make her even more battle-hardened in the remaining four matches that stand between her and a fifth Wimbledon title.
“It definitely helps me to realize that’s it’s not going to be easy going forward. I just have to stay focused,” former world number one Serena said.
“Everyone’s trying to win, but I can win matches like this. Not that I’ve ever doubted that, but it’s always good to have that reconfirmation.”
Surviving a tough examination against Zheng was also important for Serena’s morale as she tries to erase the memories of a confidence-denting shock three-set defeat against France’s Virginie Razzano in the French Open first round last month.
“I was definitely way more calm than I was when I lost in my last long match,” Serena said.