False start: Unforced errors blighted Serena Williams in Rogers Cup struggle

“And then I got really angry….” “It was also such a tough match-up against Venus – it’s always a pleasure to play her because you know you have to play well to beat her, so I’m happy with my performance today”. “I’m playing professional tennis, I’ll just do athleticwear”, Williams explains.

Serena Williams eventually eased her way into the third round of the Rogers Cup in Toronto, but had it far from all her own way against Flavia Pennetta before collecting the 725th win of her career.

Her problems, however, were not over as Pennetta would break Williams on her next opportunity to lead 2-1. “It was a long time ago”, said Serena. “The midriff-baring leotard shows off Williams’ insanely muscular body as she is suspended in mid-air with her long legs split apart”, said E!

Bouchard has to focus on the beginning because she has lost her opening match at seven of her past nine WTA events.

“It definitely feels different because I have never been in this position in my career”, Williams said.

The grand slam line of questioning that greeted her on Monday is sure to relentlessly follow her through every match leading up to the year’s final major, kicking off on August 31 at Flushing Meadows. “I have one victory against her in Singapore, so it is my best match ever”.

While Serena Williams and “boyfriend” Patrick Mouratoglou are inseparable on court, the fashion world has become exclusively her domain. “I just love Toronto“. “Getting better with age, I hope”. She’s using this tournament to get used to playing on hard courts again.

Serena, the No. 1 ranked women’s player in the world, will be attempting to win the Grand Slam at the U.S. Open in New York in September after winning the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon already this year. “I haven’t had a lot of match play recently, but I was able to raise my game, and I think it was pretty competitive out there after that first set”.

There were a few big upsets on Tuesday, as 9th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro was dropped by Alize Cornet in three sets while 10th-seeded Karolina Pliskova was bounced by Mirjana Lucic-Baroni in three sets despite having a shot to serve for the match in set two.