AO - Day 5 - S Williams v Wang Qiang

Second match on RLA on Day Five, 2020 AO - Serena Williams (8) v Wang Qiang

At the 2019 US Open Williams thrashed Qiang, dropping only one game in their quarter final.

Here, Williams served first, and held with ease, including an ace and winning forehand. Qiang levelled, just dropping one point.

Williams saved a break point to lead 2-1, and no problems existed on serve other than that until the sixth game.

Qiang faced a break point at 30-40 but it was saved when Williams missed wide. A forehand winner brought up game point, which was erased by Williams forcing an error. A second break point came when Williams smashed a return forehand down the line. Saved by Qiang running down a drop shot and hitting a backhand past Williams. A third break chance after a Williams forehand winner. Saved as the eighth seed missed wide.

Qiang held eventually for 3-3, sealing it with a forehand winner.

At 4-4, Williams double faulted, then netted a forehand for 0-30. Qiang ran down another drop shot and passed Williams with a backhand.

Three break points. A backhand winner for the break. Qiang led 5-4.

Serving for the set, Qiang netted a forehand. Williams returned into the net, then hit the net with a forehand. 30-15. A Williams backhand landed wide and produced two set points. A backhand return was long and Qiang took the set 6-4.

The second set went with serve until the fifth game where Qiang broke the American serve. Williams missed with a backhand twice, then with her forehand, and faced three break points. One was saved, but a Qiang forehand winner did the trick.

Serving for the match at 5-4, Qiang felt a Williams surge, and it began with a forehand forcing an error. A Williams backhand return winner made it 0-30. A backhand mistake from the eighth seed and 15-30. Two break back points when Qiang found the net. A sensational forehand from Williams secured the break and 5-5.

Williams survived two break points, and Qiang served to love, the result being a tie break. Williams took control from 3-2, and the match was level, 4-6 7-6(2).

For eleven games of the deciding set, only two break points arose, one in game two, another in game eight, both on the Williams serve. Neither were converted, and the game score was 5-6 with Williams at the line.

Williams hit a forehand wide 0-15. A Williams backhand wide and 0-30. Qiang returned wide 15-30. Williams sent a backhand long. Two match points. Qiang sent her backhand long 30-40. Qiang netted a forehand Deuce. Williams put a forehand wide Match point #3 

Williams hit the net with a backhand and Wang Qiang upset the tournament favourite 6-4 6-7(2) 7-5.