Serena Williams has been stalking the Grand Slam from continent to continent, but along the nearly nine-month journey there have been unnerving challenges. She lost nine sets, was forced to play tiebreakers and stare down match points. Even during some wins, she felt awkward and frustrated.
On Wednesday she went out to the practice court immediately after she won a second-round match. On Friday, when she lost the first set to Bethanie Mattek-Sands in a third-round match, it looked as if the mounting pressure of winning the Grand Slam might be overwhelming her.
But late in the second set, with victory still in doubt, Williams regained her signature ferocity and laser focus.