To put an end to Serena Williams’ career is Ajla Tomljanovic, who needs the match of life to spread throughout the third set.
The 23 times Grand Slam champion plays an absolutely heroic game, she even cancels seven match points in the second set tie break before finding herself understandably and legitimately with the gasoline needle close to zero.
Amidst the screams of a Central Court completely, totally and absolutely at her feet, the legendary American manages to win the decisive game and at least secure the third set. For better or for worse she continues to play the game, even if she obviously loses precision, clarity and above all freshness in lateral movements.
The Australian tennis player, who continues undaunted to push in an incredible way, breaks the balance at 2-1 and no longer makes any particular changes to the script. On the contrary. She shoots 4-1, she takes advantage of another lame game from Serena who still finds a way to cancel five match points before surrendering to the mocking passage of time.
She finishes 7-5 6-7 (4) 6-1 after more than two hours of play, between the surreal silence that anticipates the end and the roar that accompanies the most mocking of epilogues.