Newsday (N.Y.): Serena Williams goes 3 sets to get past Azarenka

By Art Spander
Special to Newsday

WIMBLEDON, England — In a country of royalty, Serena Williams seems destined again to ascend the throne of ladies tennis. And if things go right, to make history by winning the true Grand Slam, all four major tournaments in a calendar year.

Williams dropped the first set to Victoria Azarenka Tuesday in their Wimbledon quarterfinal, but then, utilizing power unfathomed by other women, rebounded for a 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 victory.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Newsday. All rights reserved.

S.F. Examiner: No Slam talk: Serena shuts it down after beating Venus

By Art Spander
San Francisco Examiner

WIMBLEDON, England — Time had stopped, more accurately gone backward. The Williams sisters were at it once more, powering serves, ripping forehands, making us feel young again, making us feel part of an era when women’s tennis was distilled down to two names, Venus and Serena.

“Come on Williams!” a voice shouted during the first set of their Wimbledon fourth-rounder, and laughter rippled around Centre Court. Yeah, come on Williams, because out there in the sunshine and history, reprising an act that never gets boring, a Williams would succeed.

Read the full story here.

©2015 The San Francisco Examiner

Bleacher Report: Introspective Serena Williams Embraces Role Model Chance in Indian Wells Return

By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — She’s spoken out before. Well, shouted out. At a linesperson during the 2009 U.S. Open. Endless invective. Serena Williams was never afraid to show her passion.

Or now after years of boycotting one of the more important tennis tournaments in the world, her compassion.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015 Bleacher Report, Inc. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

Los Angeles Times: Serena Williams is a little nervous in return to Indian Wells

By Art Spander
Los Angeles Times

It was all about timing and about Time, the magazine. It was about the act of forgiveness, which Serena Williams, after the years and the memories, said she at last found a reason to offer.

Fourteen years ago, in 2001, Williams, a teenager but already a champion, was booed at Indian Wells, booed in a final by a crowd angry that in the scheduled semifinal two days earlier older sister Venus defaulted moments before the start because of announced knee tendinitis.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2015, Los Angeles Times

Bleacher Report: Dominant Serena Williams Silences Skeptics in 2014 US Open Semifinal Rout

By Art Spander
Featured Columnist

NEW YORK — She’s rolling now, crushing opponents and symbolically all those who doubted her. (Blush!) A season that seemed destined to go nowhere for Serena Williams, a season that made some of us suggest that at almost 33 years old her best days were over, is now headed to the stars—and the record books.

Was she ever any better than she was Friday afternoon in a semifinal of the U.S. Open? Was she any more dominant, more overwhelming more — yes — awesome? Maybe, but probably not.

Read the full story here.

Copyright © 2014 Bleacher Report, Inc.