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| Serena Williams v Carla Suárez Navarro: Miami Open – as it happened | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.33pm ET19:33 | 2.33pm ET19:33 |
| Until tomorrow | Until tomorrow |
| The attention at Crandon Park now turns to Sunday’s men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Check back tomorrow for live commentary as the longtime rivals meet with a Masters title on the line. | The attention at Crandon Park now turns to Sunday’s men’s final between Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray. Check back tomorrow for live commentary as the longtime rivals meet with a Masters title on the line. |
| 2.28pm ET19:28 | 2.28pm ET19:28 |
| A bad day at the office | A bad day at the office |
| The good news for Carla Suárez Navarro: she’ll climb to No10 in Monday’s rankings by virtue of her run to today’s final. A classy competitor with an elegant game, she’ll become the first player with a one-handed backhand to crack the top 10 since Francesca Schiavone. The bad news? Pretty much everything else, at least as far as today goes. Suárez Navarro won just five points during the second set. One-way traffic. | The good news for Carla Suárez Navarro: she’ll climb to No10 in Monday’s rankings by virtue of her run to today’s final. A classy competitor with an elegant game, she’ll become the first player with a one-handed backhand to crack the top 10 since Francesca Schiavone. The bad news? Pretty much everything else, at least as far as today goes. Suárez Navarro won just five points during the second set. One-way traffic. |
| Beat Down City | Beat Down City |
| 2.16pm ET19:16 | 2.16pm ET19:16 |
| More history for Serena | More history for Serena |
| Serena’s third consecutive Miami title is her eighth at the tournament overall. Only three other players have won eight titles at the same event: Chris Evert (eight at Hilton Head), Martina Navratilova (12 at Chicago, 11 at Eastbourne, nine at Dallas, Washington DC and Wimbledon, eight at Los Angeles, the WTA Finals and Orlando) and Steffi Graf (nine at Berlin). | Serena’s third consecutive Miami title is her eighth at the tournament overall. Only three other players have won eight titles at the same event: Chris Evert (eight at Hilton Head), Martina Navratilova (12 at Chicago, 11 at Eastbourne, nine at Dallas, Washington DC and Wimbledon, eight at Los Angeles, the WTA Finals and Orlando) and Steffi Graf (nine at Berlin). |
| She’s now 24-2 in her last 26 WTA finals. | She’s now 24-2 in her last 26 WTA finals. |
| Updated at 2.20pm ET | Updated at 2.20pm ET |
| 2.14pm ET19:14 | 2.14pm ET19:14 |
| Williams breaks, wins second set, match and title! | Williams breaks, wins second set, match and title! |
| Second set: Williams 6-0 Suárez Navarro | Second set: Williams 6-0 Suárez Navarro |
| That was quick. After a reasonably competitive if not back-and-forth opening set, Williams brings the heat in the second to wrap up a clinical 6-3, 6-0. Suárez Navarro has now won just 10 games in the 10 sets they’ve played. | That was quick. After a reasonably competitive if not back-and-forth opening set, Williams brings the heat in the second to wrap up a clinical 6-3, 6-0. Suárez Navarro has now won just 10 games in the 10 sets they’ve played. |
| In print, those head-to-head set scores don’t look pretty: 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0. | In print, those head-to-head set scores don’t look pretty: 6-0, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0, 6-0, 6-0, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2, 6-0. |
| Three in a row, 8 overall. @serenawilliams is #TheGr8est. #MiamiOpen https://t.co/whXMZ1s0TK | Three in a row, 8 overall. @serenawilliams is #TheGr8est. #MiamiOpen https://t.co/whXMZ1s0TK |
| Updated at 2.14pm ET | Updated at 2.14pm ET |
| 2.08pm ET19:08 | 2.08pm ET19:08 |
| Second set: Williams 5-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | Second set: Williams 5-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| Serena holds at love, having won 21 of 25 points in the second set. Ice cold service. Feeling awfully familiar to Serena’s double bagel of Suárez Navarro at the US Open on the Spaniard’s 25th birthday. | Serena holds at love, having won 21 of 25 points in the second set. Ice cold service. Feeling awfully familiar to Serena’s double bagel of Suárez Navarro at the US Open on the Spaniard’s 25th birthday. |
| 2.06pm ET19:06 | 2.06pm ET19:06 |
| Williams breaks! | Williams breaks! |
| Second set: *Williams 4-0 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) | Second set: *Williams 4-0 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) |
| That’s 17 of 21 points this set for Williams, who is hitting winners at will. Suárez Navarro’s insistence on pushing the ball to the middle of the court rather than going for the lines is tantamount to a white flag. | That’s 17 of 21 points this set for Williams, who is hitting winners at will. Suárez Navarro’s insistence on pushing the ball to the middle of the court rather than going for the lines is tantamount to a white flag. |
| 2.02pm ET19:02 | 2.02pm ET19:02 |
| Second set: Williams 3-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | Second set: Williams 3-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| And Serena holds at love. Really starting to get away from the Spaniard now. Williams has won 13 of 16 points this set. | And Serena holds at love. Really starting to get away from the Spaniard now. Williams has won 13 of 16 points this set. |
| Serena Williams right about now, only slightly more serious... pic.twitter.com/hL5U2c6tuM | Serena Williams right about now, only slightly more serious... pic.twitter.com/hL5U2c6tuM |
| Updated at 2.03pm ET | Updated at 2.03pm ET |
| 2.01pm ET19:01 | 2.01pm ET19:01 |
| Serena breaks! | Serena breaks! |
| Second set: *Williams 2-0 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) | Second set: *Williams 2-0 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) |
| Serena breaks at love. The rest seems like a formality. | Serena breaks at love. The rest seems like a formality. |
| 1.57pm ET18:57 | 1.57pm ET18:57 |
| Second set: Williams 1-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | Second set: Williams 1-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| With Serena serving to open the second set, a few loose points find the world No1 down 30-40. But just when it looks as if the clearly outgunned Suárez Navarro might find a entry point into this match, Williams quickly erases the break-point opportunity with an ace – then secures the hold with two more. Powerful stuff. | With Serena serving to open the second set, a few loose points find the world No1 down 30-40. But just when it looks as if the clearly outgunned Suárez Navarro might find a entry point into this match, Williams quickly erases the break-point opportunity with an ace – then secures the hold with two more. Powerful stuff. |
| 1.51pm ET18:51 | 1.51pm ET18:51 |
| Williams breaks, wins first set! | Williams breaks, wins first set! |
| First set: Williams 6-2 Suárez Navarro | First set: Williams 6-2 Suárez Navarro |
| A moment of brilliance for Serena at 15-15. Suárez Navarro uncoils the angled cross-court forehand – one of the only shots that’s been working for her today – but Williams somehow makes it to the spot and returns fire with a cross-court winner of her own. Amazing. Then the American approaches the net at 15-30 and wins the point on a lunging backhand volley to set up a pair of set points. | A moment of brilliance for Serena at 15-15. Suárez Navarro uncoils the angled cross-court forehand – one of the only shots that’s been working for her today – but Williams somehow makes it to the spot and returns fire with a cross-court winner of her own. Amazing. Then the American approaches the net at 15-30 and wins the point on a lunging backhand volley to set up a pair of set points. |
| Suárez Navarro does well to save both, but Williams sets up a third with a devastating forehand into the corner – seemingly miles out of her opponent’s reach. A forehand long on the next point gives Serena the break and the opening set. Worth mentioning she’s 65-0 in Miami after winning the first set. | Suárez Navarro does well to save both, but Williams sets up a third with a devastating forehand into the corner – seemingly miles out of her opponent’s reach. A forehand long on the next point gives Serena the break and the opening set. Worth mentioning she’s 65-0 in Miami after winning the first set. |
| Total winners: Williams 17, Suárez Navarro 2. | Total winners: Williams 17, Suárez Navarro 2. |
| Updated at 1.59pm ET | Updated at 1.59pm ET |
| 1.41pm ET18:41 | 1.41pm ET18:41 |
| First set: Williams 5-2 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | First set: Williams 5-2 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| Another clean hold for Serena, who is benefitting from her opponent’s sloppiness on the backhand side. | Another clean hold for Serena, who is benefitting from her opponent’s sloppiness on the backhand side. |
| The question for the moment is whether Suarez can get more than 3 games in a set, which would be a personal best for her vs Serena | The question for the moment is whether Suarez can get more than 3 games in a set, which would be a personal best for her vs Serena |
| 1.39pm ET18:39 | 1.39pm ET18:39 |
| Williams breaks! | Williams breaks! |
| First set: *Williams 4-2 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) | First set: *Williams 4-2 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) |
| The Spaniard falls behind 0-30 and 15-40, giving Williams a pair of break-point opportunities. Suárez Navarro saves them both with sharp angled cross-court forehands – a shot that’s worked wonders throughout her run to the final – but follows them up immediately with back-to-back backhands sprayed wide. First break to Serena, who will serve for a 5-2 lead. | The Spaniard falls behind 0-30 and 15-40, giving Williams a pair of break-point opportunities. Suárez Navarro saves them both with sharp angled cross-court forehands – a shot that’s worked wonders throughout her run to the final – but follows them up immediately with back-to-back backhands sprayed wide. First break to Serena, who will serve for a 5-2 lead. |
| Updated at 1.40pm ET | Updated at 1.40pm ET |
| 1.32pm ET18:32 | 1.32pm ET18:32 |
| First set: Williams 3-2 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | First set: Williams 3-2 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| Serving at 30-0, Serena drops her first service point of the match on an unforced error and a pushed forehand long. Her response? Consecutive aces to lock down the hold. Still on serve in the first. | Serving at 30-0, Serena drops her first service point of the match on an unforced error and a pushed forehand long. Her response? Consecutive aces to lock down the hold. Still on serve in the first. |
| 1.29pm ET18:29 | 1.29pm ET18:29 |
| First set: *Williams 2-2 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) | First set: *Williams 2-2 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) |
| Suárez Navarro falls behind 0-15 but wins three straight points, including a nicely played passing forehand on the run at 30-15. Serena nets a forehand at 40-30 to give the Spaniard the game. | Suárez Navarro falls behind 0-15 but wins three straight points, including a nicely played passing forehand on the run at 30-15. Serena nets a forehand at 40-30 to give the Spaniard the game. |
| 1.25pm ET18:25 | 1.25pm ET18:25 |
| First set: Williams 2-1 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | First set: Williams 2-1 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| After double-faulting on the opening point – her 19th of the tournament – Williams rattles off four straight points. Now 7-for-7 on her first serve. | After double-faulting on the opening point – her 19th of the tournament – Williams rattles off four straight points. Now 7-for-7 on her first serve. |
| 1.24pm ET18:24 | 1.24pm ET18:24 |
| First set: *Williams 1-1 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) | First set: *Williams 1-1 Suárez Navarro (*denotes next server) |
| A bit of a trickier game for Suárez Navarro, but she survives nerves at 30-30 and deuce to secure the hold. | A bit of a trickier game for Suárez Navarro, but she survives nerves at 30-30 and deuce to secure the hold. |
| 1.19pm ET18:19 | 1.19pm ET18:19 |
| First set: Williams 1-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) | First set: Williams 1-0 Suárez Navarro* (*denotes next server) |
| Serena holds at love to open the match: backhand volley winner, forehand volley winner, backhand winner, ace. | Serena holds at love to open the match: backhand volley winner, forehand volley winner, backhand winner, ace. |
| Good start. | Good start. |
| 1.14pm ET18:14 | 1.14pm ET18:14 |
| Twin killing | Twin killing |
| Suárez Navarro is bidding to become the eighth different player – and first in five years – to defeat both Venus and Serena at the same tournament. Each of the previous seven was ranked No1 at some point: Sanchez-Vicario (who defeated both at 1998 Sydney), Graf (1999 Sydney), Hingis (2001 Australian Open), Clijsters (2002 Tour Championships), Davenport (2004 Los Angeles), Henin (2007 US Open), Clijsters (2009 US Open), Jankovic (2010 Rome). | Suárez Navarro is bidding to become the eighth different player – and first in five years – to defeat both Venus and Serena at the same tournament. Each of the previous seven was ranked No1 at some point: Sanchez-Vicario (who defeated both at 1998 Sydney), Graf (1999 Sydney), Hingis (2001 Australian Open), Clijsters (2002 Tour Championships), Davenport (2004 Los Angeles), Henin (2007 US Open), Clijsters (2009 US Open), Jankovic (2010 Rome). |
| 1.02pm ET18:02 | 1.02pm ET18:02 |
| Newsy notes | Newsy notes |
| Some notes on today’s finalists, courtesy of the WTA: | Some notes on today’s finalists, courtesy of the WTA: |
| The players are just coming out of the tunnel now. | The players are just coming out of the tunnel now. |
| 12.49pm ET17:49 | 12.49pm ET17:49 |
| Preamble | Preamble |
| Welcome to Crandon Park where Serena Williams and Carla Suárez Navarro are set to meet in the Miami Open final. | Welcome to Crandon Park where Serena Williams and Carla Suárez Navarro are set to meet in the Miami Open final. |
| On paper the matchup favors the world No1. Significantly. Serena is 4-0 lifetime against the Spaniard and 8-0 in sets, including a 6-0, 6-0 whitewash in the 2013 US Open quarterfinals. She enters on a 20-match winning streak. | On paper the matchup favors the world No1. Significantly. Serena is 4-0 lifetime against the Spaniard and 8-0 in sets, including a 6-0, 6-0 whitewash in the 2013 US Open quarterfinals. She enters on a 20-match winning streak. |
| But the 12th-ranked Suárez Navarro has scored wins over No8 Aga Radwanska and No10 Andrea Petkovic – not to mention Venus Williams – en route to the biggest final of her career. With a win today, the 26-year-old can become the eighth player to defeat both Williams sisters in the same tournament. | But the 12th-ranked Suárez Navarro has scored wins over No8 Aga Radwanska and No10 Andrea Petkovic – not to mention Venus Williams – en route to the biggest final of her career. With a win today, the 26-year-old can become the eighth player to defeat both Williams sisters in the same tournament. |
| 12.15pm ET17:15 | 12.15pm ET17:15 |
| Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a look at how today’s finalists got through Thursday’s semi-final stage: | Bryan will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a look at how today’s finalists got through Thursday’s semi-final stage: |
| Serena Williams will face Carla Suàrez-Navarro in the women’s final after beating Indian Wells champion Simona Halep 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in her semi-final. | Serena Williams will face Carla Suàrez-Navarro in the women’s final after beating Indian Wells champion Simona Halep 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in her semi-final. |
| Halep, who has won more games than anyone on tour this year, was broken twice in the first set but found a way to combat Williams in the second, attacking her forehand and drawing 37 errors on it but, after winning the second set, she lost her serve in what proved to be the final game of the decider. | Halep, who has won more games than anyone on tour this year, was broken twice in the first set but found a way to combat Williams in the second, attacking her forehand and drawing 37 errors on it but, after winning the second set, she lost her serve in what proved to be the final game of the decider. |
| “I hit more errors than I did in my last match, which I thought was impossible,” Williams said. | “I hit more errors than I did in my last match, which I thought was impossible,” Williams said. |
| “I’m just not at my best level right now which is a little frustrating.” | “I’m just not at my best level right now which is a little frustrating.” |
| Williams has held top spot in the rankings for over two years though, and knows what improvements she has to make. | Williams has held top spot in the rankings for over two years though, and knows what improvements she has to make. |
| “I feel like the match was on my racquet and I really had opportunities in the second. I just didn’t take them,” Williams added. “That is something I can’t do going into the grand slams coming up.” | “I feel like the match was on my racquet and I really had opportunities in the second. I just didn’t take them,” Williams added. “That is something I can’t do going into the grand slams coming up.” |
| 12th seed Navarro made light work of Andrea Petkovic, who was seeded three places higher in ninth, easing to a 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the biggest final of her career so far. | 12th seed Navarro made light work of Andrea Petkovic, who was seeded three places higher in ninth, easing to a 6-3, 6-3 victory to reach the biggest final of her career so far. |
| The 26-year-old Spaniard did not face a single break point in nine service games, while Petkovic offered up 32 unforced errors to bow out with a whimper. | The 26-year-old Spaniard did not face a single break point in nine service games, while Petkovic offered up 32 unforced errors to bow out with a whimper. |
| “I feel so happy. It’s so important for me,” Navarro told the WTA website. “I was practicing and working all year with my team for a moment like this.” | “I feel so happy. It’s so important for me,” Navarro told the WTA website. “I was practicing and working all year with my team for a moment like this.” |