Just yesterday we were discussing with a tennis coach about  who have more chances to win Roland Garros this year. The coach said that Serena Williams was supposed to change her game and play B style  if she wanted to win this Grand Slam. Frankly, I did not expect that Serena would lose her next match against 20 years-old Garbine Miguruza of Spain, but my more experienced interlocutor did. He said today:

“I don’t usually watch a match when I know the result, but I did this time because it was so unexpected. Muguruza played the match of her life. It reminded me of when Ana Ivanovic beat Serena Williams by attacking her serve and every other shot she could. Serena wasn’t at her best, but she was outplayed. Muguruza never flinched.”

The another surprise came from 18-year-old American Taylor Townsend, who is in the main draw of a Grand Slam event for the first time. She knocked out the highest-ranked Frenchwoman, 20th-seeded Alize Cornet, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. Good job, Taylor!

One more thing. It was mentioned in the yesterday’s post that Rodger Smith developed Sloane Stephens. I have received the following elaboration from Nick Saviano:

“In reference to Sloane Stephens, I coached Sloane since she was 11 years old. When Sloane turned pro I was the lead coach for her and Rodger Smith was following my lead that’s what our contract said. Although I have not worked full-time with her recently I have always been involved in her development.”

It looks like that a private tennis coach Nick Saviano has developed more tennis stars,  among them are active players Sloane Stephens and Genie Bouchard, than the huge USTA Player Development with its multimillion dollars budget and dozens professionals coaches.

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