23 appears to be it. Serena had a real good chance here after the draw fell completely apart and it'll have to fall apart in order for Serena to get 24, because she is definitely not a threat, nor playing like she's in contention for another Slam title. The only top-10 player left in the draw is Iga after Kenin lost today. What more could Serena want than to have what's left in the bottom half to reach this Slam final? Pavly's run is a fluke, Badosa and Zidansek are just baseliners, but can hit strong from the baseline and could cause Serena trouble with her power and serve showing decline. Yet, she still had a good shot with what's left in the draw, especially after Vika lost earlier to Anastasia. This was her moment to reach another Slam final for a 39 year old player in her 40th year of birth, but she gave it up to an inconsistent 21 year old and blew 2 crucial net points to tie 4-all in the lst set, which could have changed her fortunes, as you duly noted. Loopy forehands, a declining serve and mediocre-to-poor net play does not suggest Slam title for her at this point. This French was, imo, her last chance to reach another Slam final for her age and she didn't take advantage of it. Her presser.....c'mon.......'a point here or there' and it could've been a different outcome'.....is merely self-delusion. Serena's not scheduled for any grass warm-ups prior to Wimby beginning at the end of this month, tho' she can always request and be granted a WC to any event. You think she has a shot at Wimby with no grass warm-ups?
First-time-Serena jitters for the 21 year old Rybakina, tho' she's still inconsistent regardless of this match with Serena. Yet, match-wise she again was dictating the rallies for the most part with her usual errors to keep the match close for Serena.
