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By Franklin L. Johnson
© Susan Mullane/Camerawork USA
(July 2, 2010) The cutesy curtsy has served as Serena Williams' signature celebration during this Wimbledon fortnight.
Each match Serena has played seems a prelude to the inevitable crowning moment where the reigning champion shows off those sparkling fingernails in raising the Rosewater Dish.
So tomorrow's Wimbledon's final between Serena and first-time major finalist Vera Zvonareva is merely a coronation rather than a championship clash, right?
Wrong.
Common convention says this final is an open and shut case with Serena opening up her arsenal and shutting out Zvonareva's hopes with a straight-sets sweep.
People are already writing off this final as a case of strawberry and creamed. I'm here to tell you we may well see a final feast rather than a fast-food serving of pain from Serena.
I've watched Serena's entire professional career and believe me, I don't underestimate her.
If Serena doesn't bring her "A" game, VZ can make this a match. Here's why.
If you've watched this Wimbledon, then you've seen Serena can be a slow starter. She saved set points in the 7-6 first set win over Maria Sharapova in the fourth round, she was pushed to 7-5 in the first set vs. Li Na in the quarterfinals and dug out another first-set tie break win over 62nd-ranked Petr Kvitova in yesterday's semifinals.
In a best-of-three-set match, this kind of sleepiness can be fatal.
If you think my tennis sense has been drowned in a sea of Pimm's, consider that Serena lost to Samantha Stosur at the French Open in part because her return wasn't sharp. Her return has been solid but certainly not dominant during this fortnight.
When Serena was in monster form racking up major title trophies like pieces for her jewelry collection, she could blast away second serves with vicious impunity. When was the last time you saw her do this for an entire set or even a few games?
Of course, Ree loads up every now and then. But she doesn't do it as frequently as she did in those days of dominance from 2002 to 2003.
Yes, Serena is a 12-time Grand Slam champion, World No. 1 and three-time Wimbledon winner, but her intimidation factor is down several notches.
This is still a level most players can't reach. Yet, you see how these young contenders are taking big swipes at her second serve? She can still raise her game when she needs to. But, she doesn't blow people away anymore. She kind of waits them out like Roger Federer does.
This "Waiting For Grass-Court Godot" game can have fatal consequences, particularly playing Zvonareva who has beaten both Williams sisters in singles and partnered Elena Vesnina to beat them in doubles on Wednesday, handing the sisters their first doubles defeat of the season.
Buckle up: this final could be more of a thrill ride than you expect.
Prediction: I am not predicting Zvonareva will win this final, though she can. I'm saying she can make it very interesting if Serena takes her lightly. The first set is critical. If Serena, who has hit a Wimbledon women's record 80 aces in six matches, blows Vera away in the opening set, it should be a quick two and out. If VZ takes the first set or pushes it to a tie breaker, it could be a three-set cat scratch fever final.
Tennis Now contributing writer Franklin L. Johnson is a writer, poet and avid tennis player based in New York. He has covered professional tennis for three decades