Serena Williams lost to Roberta Vinci 6-2, 4-6, 4-6 in the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Here’s all the thoughts I had while watching, from warm-up to match point.
1. Serena’s coach is so adorable.
2. Like really cute.
3. Vinci’s press conference felt very much like, “I know I’m going to lose but I’ll try my best.”
4. She knows.
5. Doesn’t look like Drake’s here today, but he better be for the finals.
6. You know how much I want this relationship to happen.
7. Was that an ace on the first point?
8. Another ace for Queen S.
9. Oh hey, Serena’s mom! The ever-stylish Oracene Price.
10. Oracene looks bored. Or concerned. Likely bored.
11. Oh my gosh, it’s Serena’s precious coach again! *heart eyes*
12. Like heyyy.
13. Pam Shriver is currently talking about how the wind is messing up her hair.
14. I feel you, girl.
15. A really loud “C’mon” from Serena.
16. And cheers from the crowd.
17. Must suck to not be the favorite. Sorry, Vinci. But, avanti! (Come on in Italian, according to Google Translate)
18. Except she’s ahead right now.
19. Serena already has four aces. In four games. Like, whaaa?
20. Wins the game off the serve. 3-2, Queen S.
21. So crafty, Vinci. I love all these slices. So, so crafty.
22. Another “C’mon” from Serena. She is here to win. Must’ve been the pep talk from adorable coach.
23. Now Serena’s mom is smiling.
24. And mumbling something.
25. The fist pump again! I love it.
26. And again. Looking up at the crowd with ferocity. Like so much ferocity.
27. She’s so intense, she scares me.
28. And the whole crowd sighs with disappointment as Serena misses.
29. Like that’s gotta be so tough for Vinci. I’m sorry but only like, two people want you to win.
30. Serena is actually fist pumping after every point now.
32. Tennis court or dance club on the Jersey Shore?
33. That’s a reference to this, by the way.
34. Serena takes the first 6-2. Not that shocking.
35. Ace #6.
36. Vinci challenges, but yeah, it was an ace.
37. Awww Venus!! She looks so cute.
38. Cute hair. Cute shirt. Cute nails.
39. 2-all.
40. Marion Bartoli making an appearance.
41. With some v blue eyeshadow.
42. OMG DRAKE IS HERE.
43. DRAKE IS HERE.
44. YES.
45. PSA: In case you missed it, Drake is here.
46. Serena is losing 2-4.
47. Drake is throwing her off.
48. Fun statistic: Out of all her three-setters this year, Serena has only lost one.
49. Oh my god. Serena just hit her 12th ace and the ball ricocheted against the wall.
50. Serena is not giving up on this set.
51. Just so many winners. Serena’s coming back fer suree.
52. Cause Drake is he-e-ere.
53. Serena’s doing some major self-talk right now.
54. Break point! Break point!
55. Noooooooo. Deuce it is.
56. Oh my god. Serena, what are you doinggggg.
57. Set three. So this will be fun. At least it will be exciting.
58. Serena got a warning for “racket abuse?”
59. Legit did not know that was a thing.
60. Drake is clapping so hard.
61. And that was a really loud “C’mon” from Serena.
62. Ear-piercing, really.
63. Wow I am honestly nervous right now.
64. Okay but this whole crowd is also behind Serena. Vinci is just laughing at how much they don’t want her to win.
65. So much screaming and so much support for Serena.
66. Ayyy Venus. Proud big sister.
67. Vinci, why are you challenging? Cleary in.
68. Ace. Amazinggggg.
69. Not nervous anymore.
70. The announcers tell us that 89% think Serena will win.
71. The question is: Who is this 11%?
72. Roberta Vinci’s large Italian family?
73. Oh my goshhh. Vinci is up. WTF?!?
74. So. Much. Pressure.
75. Second point won off the overhead smash in a row.
76. Oh my goddd. It’s deuce. I can’t.
77. Oh my god it’s Vinci’s ad.
78. Okay she double faulted.
79. Everyone’s cheering. Lolz.
80. Serena, what are you doing?? You’re freaking me out.
81. Oh my god. She’s losing 3-5. What is happening?
82. Two aces in a row!! Okay, you got this.
83. Ugh no, challenge shows that one was out.
84. 4-5! Ahhhhh so nervous. So nervous.
85. Oh my god. This is not good.
86. Vinci is two points away from winning.
87. Oh my god. It’s match point.
88. Oh my goddd. Speechless.
89. What just happened?
90. NO I’M SO UPSET.
91. Like I want to cry.
92. NOOOO.
93. Still processing …. stay tuned for more thoughts.
