Serena Williams, the world’s #1 tennis player, appeared in top form last Saturday at LIME’s ‘Tennis pon De Rock’ exhibition at the Wildey Gymnasium, where she opposed world No. 4, 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark. Both players were well received by the large crowd and throughout the match, screams of ‘Let’s go Serena’ and ‘Let’s go Caroline’ could be heard echoing throughout the Gym. Serena, easily the more physically dominant of the two players, took full control from the opening game and never looked back. Though fighting off a slight cold, she was her usual self, serving with a vengeance while punishing anything short from her younger opponent. Wozniacki, who is no slouch either, desperately scampered for her returns and tried to use her pin-point placement to her advantage. Still she had no reply for Williams. Serena comfortably put away Wozniacki 6-4 in the only set that was played on the night. “They were such a good crowd,” a beaming Serena told the Barbados Advocate after the match. “There was a lot of support for Caroline, and there as a lot of support for me, so it was a good night. This island has been 100 times better than any of my expectations and I really think I have found my second home.”
International recording artist Common (Serena’s boyfriend), His Excellency Ambassador Ryan Brathwaite, wife of Prime Minister David Thompson, Mara Thompson, Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, Minister of Sport, Esther Byer-Suckoo, and Opposition Leader Mia Mottley were among those who attended the event. Barry Gale, Director of B.I.T.E (Barbados Invitational Tennis Exhibition), said he was thrilled with turnout and all the hard work which was put in by the organisers had paid off. “I am very excited and very pleased”, Gale said. “I think the crowd support was absolutely amazing and you could feel the electric atmosphere out there. It was hard work but truly rewarding and I think the Barbadian crowd really enjoyed it.”
For the original report go to http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsitem.asp?more=local&NewsID=7610