Well, even when she's 4-1 up in the 1st set, I still didn't think she could win it. We all know only a break of serve is not enough to secure a set against Serena. And the match ended right at the moment she couldn't hold for 3-0 in the 2nd set, after having so many GPs.
I feel so sorry for Masha - It must be devastating for her to have a Nemesis like Serena - No matter what she does - Masha's faith seems sealed from the start of the match - You can criticize Masha's game all you want - point out what she's done wrong and such - but Serena is just superior and Masha is already beaten as soon she steps on the court - That's the hard truth and I wish there was something she could do to at least win ONE match but I fear that is not going to happen - 15 losses in a row must take it's toll on her confidence and has some devastating effect on her mental state when playing Serena - You can feel and see how tensed Masha's muscles were - hence all the UEs she normally wouldn't hit - All Masha can hope for is for Serena to retire in the near future so she still have some years to shine - *sighs - On the "bright side" - she was at least not blown of court or had to suffer a bagel
I feel so sorry for Masha - It must be devastating for her to have a Nemesis like Serena - No matter what she does - Masha's faith seems sealed from the start of the match - You can criticize Masha's game all you want - point out what she's done wrong and such - but Serena is just superior and Masha is already beaten as soon she steps on the court - That's the hard truth and I wish there was something she could do to at least win ONE match but I fear that is not going to happen - 15 losses in a row must take it's toll on her confidence and has some devastating effect on her mental state when playing Serena - You can feel and see how tensed Masha's muscles were - hence all the UEs she normally wouldn't hit - All Masha can hope for is for Serena to retire in the near future so she still have some years to shine - *sighs - On the "bright side" - she was at least not blown of court or had to suffer a bagel
It wasn't a beatdown. It was more or less what I had expected it would be. But Maria can take some positives out of this tournament. She has found some form and if she can take that into the claycourt swing good things are bound to happen.
I really hope that she can do well in the clay season and that she doesn't lose to many ranking points - If she then can go deep in Wimbledon - the USO and the other tournaments on the second half of this year then she might be able to end the year in the top 8 - Who knows - maybe someone else is able to take out Serena in some of the tournaments and clear the way for Masha - because realistically speaking - that is the only way she can win some title(s) this year
I think that you are just a bit too pessimistic. She's improving all the time. Miami was definitely a lot better than Indian Wells. And in Miami she got a little bit better with each match. The trajectory of her form is going up, and with a bit of luck she'll be at her peak at just the right time. Serena is a big obstacle, but she's a big obstacle for all the top players, not just Maria. If she stays healthy I think that Maria will do just fine.
I'm so proud of Maria. She really fought out there and really took it to Serena which is a thing that was lacking in many of their previous encounters. As long as she fights is okay if she loses, after all she is losing against Serena Williams.