Data and insights powered by Infosys
The last time we saw Serena Williams competing at a major tournament, at the US Open in September, she was not exactly feeling enamoured with her signature stroke.
The American superstar had just lost the final at Flushing Meadows to Bianca Andreescu in straight sets, and was blunt in her self-critique.
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“I was thinking, OK, Serena, you didn't miss a serve, you lost serve maybe twice in the whole tournament, and you didn't hit a first serve in today,” she said.
“I think her returns make me play better and puts pressure on my serve. At the same time, it's inexcusable for me to play at that level.”
Fast forward to Wednesday night at Rod Laver Arena, and Williams was imperious on serve.
With her vaunted delivery increasingly firing, it spells danger for the rest of the field.
According to Infosys data, Williams’ average first-serve speed increased from her first-round outing to her second; she cranked it up to 175km/h in her 6-2 6-3 win over Tamara Zidansek, after recording an average of 172km/h in her 6-0 6-3 victory over Anastasia Potapova.
When really going for it, the 23-time major champion has registered top speeds of 190km/h in both her first and second-round victories.
And when she’s landed her first serve, Williams has dominated, winning 80 per cent of first serve points against Potapova and 78 per cent against Zidansek. That figure climbed as high as 93 per cent in the first set of her match against Zidansek.
Australian Open third-round opponent Wang Qiang, whom Serena crushed for the loss of just one game in last year’s US Open quarterfinals, will not be taking any comfort from these impressive statistics.
Serving to Zidansek in the deuce court, Serena’s serving patterns were distinct, with the world No.9 directing 65 per cent of serves down the T to the Slovene’s backhand, and winning 70 per cent of points.
Yet although she only directed 35 per cent of serves out to Zidansek’s forehand, her winning percentage rose to 80.
According to the Infosys data, this surprise tactic – no doubt aided by Williams’ impeccable ability to hit different serves from an identical ball toss – paid off.
And this serving prowess, and success, is a key weapon in her arsenal as she continues her march toward a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title this fortnight at Melbourne Park.