I am gonna put some money on Serena today she is my favourite for the title now!

FOR ME SERENA IS THE BEST

I have always believed in her. She's definitely the best!

I would like to see serena win the title....Sharapova cheated in the first round and shouldn't even be this far. What I don't understand is that she called for a trainer when she was out of breath shows me that she wasn't fit...Her componet faced the same conditions as she did....I smell something and I think its a rat.

Nice to see the media hopping on the Serena bandwagon, after skewering her for almost 2 years. She might not advance any farther, but this is excellent for a player that was supposed to be dusted by Petrova.

i hope williams falls before she makes the final. i have no interest in watching her play any longer.

IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE THE FIRE BACK IN HER!!!! Serna brings so much to the game!!! just hope she plays more this year, she is one of the best in the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!

The Williams sisters have too much talent to just disappear from the world tennis scene just like that. We'd like to see Serena win the Australian Open, just to contradict the form book.

I have falled Serena even before she won her first Grand Slam. She is the best that has happened in the past 10 years and I would like to see her win another one. Go for it Serena.

Clijsters and Williams in the final. Serena wins in 3 tough sets.

People are forgetting that Serena was the #1 ranked player in the world before!!! I believe that If she and Venus get healthy, and fit, and really focus on on Tennis.... No ONE in the tennis world can beat them... To me they are still they are still 2 of the top players in the world...and yes Serena will win the Australian Open.. She will take out whoever is in her path...GO SERENA!!!!

Serena makes women's tennis exciting to watch. I find that the commentators are sometimes hard on her and her sister. They have done so much for women's tennis. I would just love to see her go all the way. Venus and Serena were to ones who made me love the sport so much. I wish her good luck for this tournament.

Serena has the determination to go all the way! She adds so much to women's tennis and not to mention American women's tennis. Unfortunately, we are seeing fewer and fewer Americans in the finals of the majors. Go Serena!

Way to go Serena. I remember watching tennis when you played Petrova. The sports commentators counted you out, long before the match ever finished. You proved them wrong. Look out tennis world Serena is back. Thanks for the excitement. Serena I hope you go all the way.

I love Serena and glad she is on the way back to the top. I am sick of whining b**ches like Sharapova. Serena is proving once again she is the top female athlete in the world.

Because of Serena's past whining and carrying on with her sister (remember all the conspiracy theories?), she has been an embarrassment to the American tennis program for years. She has no class by the way she dresses on the court and her comments off court. I wish her well after her next defeat.

Serena is my idol every time I have a chance to see her play I fell proud of myself and I hope venus come back soon may GOD blessing girls. Just go I L-O-V-E Y-O-U BYE FERNANDO

I think Serena is the best and I HOPE she goes all the way and she can if she stays healthy. She brings excitement into the game. When she is on top of her game, no one can beat her. Not even the great white hope Sharapova.

Keep on doing what you are doing.

Good luck!!!!!!!! Do it girl.

I am happy with Serena's progress so far in the Australia Open. I would like all to know that we in the Caribbean support her all through the tournament.

omg i have watched every one of serena matches this year and since she has came back there is no way this is happenning. This is exactly why i love serena she just surpises me everytime and for this reason serena is a force not to be messed with i just cant wait to see her play i believe she plays again monday here in the states serena has always been my fav sister even when she use to lose to her big sister but its our time now GO SERENA and for that aaron guy dont hate i would like to know who is ur fav

I'm happy for Serena, but I have a problem with former tennis players (now commentators) and the American public, for their comments concerning the Williams' sisters committment to tennis. Why is it that when they have injuries there not committed, while Lindsay Davenport (another one of favorites) was injured throughout her career and her committment was never questioned? Since when is it a crime to have a well-balanced career? Why, in America the land of opportunity, are the Williams sisters being crucified for not letting Tennis be there life? Instead of the constant negative comments, we should praise these young ladies for trying to be something other than just a tennis player. They will have a career when they retire. I applaud them,as well as Sharapova for their outside interest. The world is different now. We can expect everyone to live like we did in the 50s, 60, 70, etc.

I am a true fan of Serena, I always have been and I'll be until I am mindless or dead. I pray for her and her sister,they have so many unfairness coming from every which way. I wish her the very best. BRING HOME THE PRIZE PRINCESS!!!!
E

Go Serena! You make the so much fun to watch! Serena will go all the way. I stayed up until 3:30 am to watch her wipe up with Jankovic. Awesome. You go on wit cha bad self and the green butt! I think it gives her momentum!

How absolutely great to see a Serena, who has actually developed her game even further. It is a thrill to see her play so many different shots compared to a couple of years ago. If she sticks to this variety of spin and power and stays healthy - nobody can touch her for years to come!

Huge fan of the Williams sisters but I have mixed feelings about wanting Serena to win. If she wins this title while being out of shape, she's going to think that she can just coast with the level of fitness that she's at now. I want her to lose to have her pride hurt so that she can work the gym and come back to destroy all of her opponents.

I LOVE Venus and Serena. WE are really rooting for her. The more these idiot "PUNDITS" say stuff, the more we root for her (and we were really rooting for her hard core anyway) I would love for her to win every grand slam this year (or Venus) and continue to piss off those nasty and (some) racists in the elite tennis world...GO SERENA

I agree with Luke. I want Serena to succeed. I love her gutsy performance. But I want to see her in better shape before she wins in all. Playing without the prior gym work is only asking for another injury. Gooooooooo Serena!

Serena is what american woman tennis needs to rebound back in the states. Her looks, personality,smile but most important the skills she once dazzled us with. Go Serena

Way to go Serena ! just so you know, all Jamaicans are behind you !

Serena will do good no matter if she go all the way or not. She is a great player and have turned the game of tennis around for the best. Whenever the Williams' play the whole world is watching. If some else is playing beside them half of the world is watching. Serena and Venus are that great!!! No one has given Serena any credit since she arrived and I think that is soooooooooo wrong. Also, everybody is ready for her to lose, but she is not ready and that is the big difference. So I say keep up the good work Serena and prove all of them wrong exspecially Mary Jo and that other Mary C. who call themselves commentators. PEACE!!!!

You go girl! We at Chiclit in Cayman Island is cheering you on....Sharapova- Williams finals, where the inevitable will happen !

Once again Serena has proven a lot of people wrong, she was phenomenal, and easily destroyed Jelena. I became a tennis fan, because of Serena, Venus and Lindsey, Serena is the clear role model for all these people who believe they can't make it.

I would like to hear all the media talk and bad mouth Serena again (They have been placed where their belong).

To all other professional tennis players who have claimed they have won against her, let me remind you that the only reason was because she had been injured and she was not a 100%, I would love to see any of you beat her when she is back to 180%.

Venus I can't wait to have you back playing and wining majors soon.

Joe F

Go Serena! I too like many others who commented previously and puzzed and find it very distasteful that American (white female) commentators are so harsh with the Williams Sisters will downplaying (the Russian) Sharapova's vulgar (and classless) behavior. Yes M.S. does cheat and will continue too (ala JHH), anything to win. No one can and ever will be able to say Serena or Venus cheated. Still, the Williams Sisters ARE American tennis on the women's side and so race relations being what they are in America I understand why that pisses off so many of my fellow Americans (but I hate that about America!). Shout out to all those are finally voicing how easily it is to see the motives behind the "so-called" female commentators as they downplay the Williams' (12 singles slams, 6 doubles slams, and olympic gold) while elevating players with no slam or maybe a meager 1 or slams to the same level as the Williams Sisters, and to add insult to injury these girls aren't even American (but they are white and that is more important than nationality in America, only in America).

AS far as fitness go, Serena fitness cannot be measured by the size of her butt alone. African-American women have bigger butts than European women and that alone does not make them less fit. Hopefully the competition will continue to listen to the expert commentation and focus on Serena butt as an indicator of her fitness. Remember these same experts use to say a player cannot commit 30+ unforced errors and win games much less majors, UNTIL Venus and Serena made a career of doing it!!!

Talent, determination, mental strength, and perseverance are natural characteristics that Serena display while playing the game of tennis. Not ignoring the advantages for being fit to play with top players, but it is well known she instill fear if she is playing well even when unfit. I belive we all need to recognize and applaud her for her effort under the prevailing situation. By virtue of capability and match statistics she has proven herself on so many occasions. Let us all wish her well as she travel the path of victory for another grand slam. In my judgment she will win this year Australian title.

Women's tennis is my sport and Serena is my hero. People of color trying to succeed in mainstream US society need her to continue to strive, to face adversity and her detractors and to win. Serena and her sister, Venus, have made huge strides to change the face and color of the tennis world. No matter how many times commentators expect her to take her seat on the back of the bus, Serena continues to refuse to let this keep her down. She has the power, the talent and the drive to be a force for years to come. Despite her start on Compton courts and a slew of personal tragedies, Serena continues to make the statement with each performance, "I will get to the mountaintop." You go, baby! Slay your enemies and stand proud!

Serena is a nice surprise in the Australian. She will not win though. She is just too heavy and out of shape to take the title. She should start doing commercials for LA weight loss.

This opinion is really about the U.S. commentators and Serena.
I think Serena surprised a lot of people, especially the U.S. commentators for the Australian Open who had nothing nice to say about her and discounted her as a potential, and now at least have to give her credit for her talent and determination, despite her deconditioning. You would think with so few American women playing in the Australian Open, that the U.S. commentators would at least be thankful that Serena was a hopeful, but what did they do? They put her down terribly. The U.S. commentators are cruel and hard on the William sisters and always have been. Most would not understand how difficult it is to have black tennis players representing a country that still has trouble with just what the all-American should look, sound and act like in this decade! Thank God for Serena's fans in the U.S. and countries who recognize talent despite the "package" it comes in. I applaud what Serena has done thus far - you go girl. Show 'em what you workin with!!!

I agree with Janes. Those ESPN commentators are a joke. Especially Fernandez counting out Serena, versus Petrova and also Jancovic. Fernandez needs to do her math. If Serena defeated the #5 seed, don't you think she has even better chances over a #11 seed? Don't forget, she has 7 grand slams to her name, and none for those other 2. Yes, physical conditioning is important, but those ESPN commentators don't even count heart and experience where they really matter!

Those ESPN commentators apparently have short memories, forgetting Serena's '05 run. Regardless of her physical conditioning, I would not count her out. If she keeps the same form that won her past Jancovic and the heart and will that got her past Petrova, I say the only real threats to her now are the other grand slam winners in the top draw who have heart and strong will to match Serena's. I'd like to see her win all the way, sure. The farther she goes, the more she's making those ESPN commentators look like idiots. Given Serena's run so far, those women commentators can go home already and go back to their real day jobs.

I am so glad that Serena is making all the commentors eat there words. It's still a long way to go but YOU GO GIRL. If its on TV I will watch and I don't care what time of the morning she comes on.

8 years ago I took my 1st real tennis lesson, and have never looked back. While I'll never have the talent that Serena or Venus have, I hope that when I have a family, my daughters can be the next Williams sisters or better!

I love having the Williams sisters to cheer for, and 2006 was very difficult for me, because they were not on the scene. I wish both of them the best of health and prosperity in 2007, and look forward to staying glued to the TV just to watch their every move on the tennis court.

Finally, I definitely applaud them for having outside interest, and wish that the commentators would grow up and stop spewing so much hatred. After all, children watch the matches too, and don't need to hear their idiotic and selfish comments all day long. Can someone please create a remote with a ON/OFF mute button for the commentators, but still allow the grunting and comments from the players?

Happy New Year Everyone!!!

It's a pleasure to read other comments about Serena. I feel the same way about her fitness. Yes, she has a big butt, but so do other AFrican-American women.

I am so glad to see Serena playing well again and winning matches. say what you want about her and her (brilliant) sister, they add so much to the game and everyone knows that tennis is vacant without them.

Clijsters is a great player to watch as well, I'm (rather stupidly?) hoping for a final between these two, and that Sharapova bows out in the semifinals. She's a great player, but I'm not a fan of her behavior on court.

Serena really does have "the heart of a champion". Coming back to take the Australian title would be an inspiration and a testament to the power of the human spirit.

I hope Venus & Serena play in a Grand Slam Final again in '07. For all of the brothers & sisters out there, who can relate to sibling rivalry, this is the year to renew the Williams sister's epic - almost biblical - battle.

You go girl!

I would like to echo the "so much for the pundits" group. Go Serena! I have always been a supporter. You're good for tennis and tennis is better for you and your game. Let's see a USA win down under!

Serena is a great player. Shahar Peer is a brilliant new star. The next match should be interesting: experience vs. youth. I am not so sure I would bet on Serena.

SERENA
THANK YOU FOR HOLDING UP THE USA TITLES. YOU HAVE THE "HEART OF A CHAMPION". YOUR TENNIS GAME PROVES YOUR DEDICATION TO GOD. I THANK THE LORD EVERY TIME YOU WIN. "THE "POWER OF HUMAN SPIRIT" SHOWS DEEP IN YOUR HEART. GOD BLESS YOU. I WILL KEEP VENUS IN MY PRAYERS. YOUR DAD DID A GOOD JOB TOO.
KATHY

As a white male and a huge tennis fan, I have long been astounded by the lack of outrage on the part of American tennis fans at the treatment that Venus and Serena get by the "tennis" press. It is disgusting to see how these two women are clearly targets of negativity and disdain from many of those "expert" commentators. I was ashamed of them for their immediate and constant "love affair" with Maria Sharapova after her Wimbledon upset. I still wonder why people aren't boiling over with the lack of respect paid to these two women. I know the reason. We all do, but it is a crying shame that even in 2007 we are still dealing with our own inabilities to reconcile our own dealings with racial tension in this country. Most white fans will argue that race is not an issue, but again it's just like saying that race is not an issue in general in our country. Get real. It is really time to start addressing these issues and not just with Venus and Serena. Let's wake up and see things for what they are. On a lighter note, I love Serena and every pound she is packing. I can't wait to see how the remainder of the Aussie Open goes for her. We are rootin' for ya in Texas, Serena.

I became a fan of tennis in 1997 when Venus made it to the final of the US Open. Since then I've been following almost every match on the WTA tour especially when Venus and Serena are playing. Serena is by far the greatest player of our time on the WTA circuit and I'll forever be rooting for her.

Serena is a champion. She has always been. I knew before the match with Jankovic she was gonna make a mockery out of her on the court. Jankovic said before the match that she knew how to beat Serena. Well, you're as wrong as Mary Corillo and Pam Shriver. Only Serena knows how to beat Serena. The way she played Jankovic, even Sharapov would have been embarrassed on the court because she would not win a set. Serena show them how to play the game again.

Was I watching the same ESPN? I thought the commentary was even-handed and realistic and quite complimentary of Serena. (Go girl!!) The only downside revolved around her lack of conditioning compared to 04 and 05. Take a look at some of the pics from back then and compare them to now and there's no denying it. Also, she just doesn't have as many matches under her belt over the last 24 mos compared to the competition. Even her mom, Oracene, called her "rusty". But as has been pointed out, Serena has so much heart, talent and will to win, that a lack of matches and fitness don't necessarily spell doom. GO SERENA!!

Austraila....Serena all the way!

Agreed....you HAVE to turn the volume OFF when Serena is playing. Let's be a force and at least TRY to demand change. Get the very hateful Shriver off the air by contacting ESPN at their web site. (As someone referenced above...no comment from the commentators when Sharapova audibly asked the chair umpire if he was "f---g kidding..." by a call made against her this week.)

ESPN comments
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?page=contact/espntv

who knows... one by one...we may be able to facilitate change!

Serena has the fire burning in her gut.
I remember Serena at the US Open against Hingis, what a final that was. She played a very smart match against Jankovic. I am hoping to see Serena in the Women's Final. I believe Serena has nothing to prove from this point on. She has already shut up the so called experts.

HEATH U R THE TRUTH. VERY REFRESHING TO HEAR UR PERSPECTIVE. Serena is a lil out of shape. however the rest of the wta tour better hope she stays that way. remember if you cant beat her 10-15lbs out of shape, good luck beating her when she is in shape. i am hoping for a serena sharaCRAPova(sharapova)final so that serena can remind her who is really bossy.

Serena is the BEST. That's what wrong with the world too many haters including the ESPN commentators. GO SERENA GO!!!!!! I am so proud of you Please stay strong!!!!

Amoung Serena's long list of great comebacks, the following come to mind: (1) 2002 FO semi, down a set and a break to Capriati and stormed back to win the match and tournament (2) 2002 USO semi against Davenport, down 2-5 in the second set, she came back to win in straight sets and went on to win the title (3) 2003 AO semi against Kim, down 1-5 in the 3rd set, she stormed back to win the match and on to take the title (4)2005 AO semi against Sharapova, down a set and a break came back to force the third set. Down three match points and came back to win the match and against Davenport in the final, got steamrolled in the first and stormed back to take the second and steamrolled Davenport in the third!!

That said, why would all the so-called experts gave her no chance against Petrova, then Jankovic? In three of the above four comeback wins, Serena came into the tournament with all kinds of fitness issues! Serena won as many majors in 2004 as Petrova and Jankovic careers combined! ZERO! All the above comeback wins were against major winners and former or then current #1s!

Serena owns two less major titles than Henin-Hardenne, Mauresmo and Sharapova combined!

So, why all this negativity toward the Williams except for hate and jealousy.

I hope Serena loses! I can't stand the Williams clan.

Serena is a great champion and a great player to watch. I hope she go all the way and shut all the haters up. I have been watching the sisters play since they first came on the scene with their beads and braids,all the commentators could say way was 'O they will never make it'Im so glad they both proved them wrong. Serena, although unseeded, is the most dangerous player on the tour and can beat anyone in her path to claim the title. No matter the outcome, she is a great champion with a fighting spirit, she never gives up. Folks needs to realize we were all created equal and Venus and Serena have feelings like any other girls on the tour, they take a lot of crap from the people who would least like to see them succeed....but I am glad they are strong black women. We are black and we are proud..GO SERENA..

Re: The ESPN ladies, I don't think it's racism. It's envy that someone who invests so much less time on her tennis game can play so much better than most everyone else. Since Serena's last tournament win in The AO 2005, she's battled injuries and faced her share of losses. I hated seeing her lose to ranked and then unranked players over the last couple of years and it is SO GOOD to see her really back on the comeback trail with fire in her eyes. If she can stay healthy and improve her fitness she could be MORE AWESOME than she was in 03-05 and that ought to be a terrifying thought to her competitors. Even the ESPN crew said so last night and added that Venus could be right there with her. GO SERENA! WIN IT ALL!!

I am extremely happy that Serena beat Jankovic but let's be honest here; Jankovic gave her a lot of help in winning that match. It was almost like, a few great points/rallies aside, Jelena decided she didn't really want to be there anymore. She seems like a headcase in the Mauresmo/Kuzentzova vein and Serena was able to capitalize on that to get through.

Serena has an excellent chance to get into the final now but I'm afraid of what will happen if Sharapova or Clijsters is waiting for her on the other side. Regardless, GO SERENA.

I love watching Serena play tennis - That is the thing, there were so may other 11am matches scheduled when SW was playing but who did they air? - Our great tennis star forever and always. I will stay up every time she plays just to watch her hit another ace that has her opponents afraid and trembling. There isn't anything wrong with her junk in her trunk - that is from where her power comes. Keep it up Serena - we miss you V - get better and come back popping!

Serena is simply sensational, it's so good to see her back. No one brings enthusiasm to tennis like Serena and Venus. The commentators says the things they say because they are angry the sisters are not around all the time. Even Mary said, "I miss them so much when they're not around!

Serena, see you in the winner's circle!

The Grand Slam wins by both Williams sisters (single and doubles) and the #1 rating between the sisters speak for themselves. Have you noticed how quiet the so-called commetarers get when the Williams sisters do well and how they give excuses for the other players (injury, family-problems, personal problems). Richard and Ocene Williams method should be studied of how they raised two champions...
Also, Serena has nothing to prove to anyone. Maria's foul mouth comments was ignored (with silence). And she really aint that pretty. Just tall, blond, and white...Give me a really sista anyday...

Serena l hope you get to the finals, The commentators both men and women were talking about the Williams sisters, if it was the fed cup we all were hoping they could bring back a metal for the American's, but you all are like weather, their good for tennis bring life to the game and colourful outfits now everyone is wearing the same outfits to the game. Pam Shriver, Mary C and Mary Jo are hateful reporters to those sisters. Why don’t they talk about Sharapova cheating in the first round she was out of wind, a rat is rat no matter what, Jen & Hings played in hotter weather like that before.

Anyone else think that if Serena manages to win the Aussie Open, which isn't that hard to believe really, that she goes AWOL for the rest of the year. Showing up only half-ready to play at a handful of events having convinced herself she is the greatest again.

Serena winning here would be the worst thing for her, and for tennis. If she can win as an overweight, out of shape player, she's not going to want to do the work to reach 2002 levels of fitness. That's everyone's loss. And it also sends the wrong message entirely.

I think Serena played well, but both those matches were as much about inexperienced wannabe champions being starstruck at the wrong time.

I see Serena going all the way. The williams sisters' problems have always been mental conditioning, not physical. They're obviously more talented than the rest of the women, yet they consistently lose the first set and blow out the next two or do something similar. This is simply a lack of focus, if either sister had Cris Evert's mental game, she would be the best women's tennis player ever by far.

anyone noticed how few men in the draw have won a grand slam these days? with recent retirements and Federer's dominance, the men's draw has only 4 grand slam winners, Federer, Nadal, Roddick, and Hewitt. This has got to be a tennis history record low.

Shahar Peer is going to take it lets go peer

I bet Mary Carillo is cursing under her breath. Definitely agree with the people who have been illuminating the fact the certain commentators talk mad sh*t about Venus and Serena (Mary Jo + Pam + Mary = Zero Grand Slams). John McEnroe knows were it's at. And Chris Evert can kiss my A**.

Serena is the best. i think that she will win the title.
Go for it ! Serena

Serena is simply the queen of womens tennis. She is the biggest, strongest and the fastest player in her sport. Unfortunately, with all of those attributes it's her title to lose!

It is now up to the stations to train their commentators with some sensitivity training before letting them call sport games. I have heard more than I want to hear on a player physical appearance, fashions appearance, sometime I hear negative comments on a cultural attires for some player. As far as a player having outside interest being reported as a negative shows lack of savvy and quite frankly ignorant for those who don't seek more for themselves. I like true tennis players besides the Williams sister such at Kim Clister who can offered more to their fans than just able to play tennis. ESPN stop promoting racism with the negative comments against the Williams sisters or other non white players from you "Choice" commentators. You know who they are and they know who they are.

I think Serena and Venus adds a dynamic to the game of tennis that can never be duplicated. It is freat that they have other interest besides tennis. It is only one part of their lives.All you Haters ....get a life ....esp Steve.....u go gurl