The final everyone wanted to see at Wimbledon will now be witnessed in the women's event of the London Olympics Saturday.
Serena Williams vs Maria Sharapova is a slug-fest of epic proportions; a mach of Williams' sheer raw power against Sharapova's 'loud' but intelligent hitting.
Coming into the final, Williams has looked pretty much unstoppable. The 30-year-old American has continued her form she showed in scores at Wimbledon last month, and will be the favorite to win her first singles gold medal.
She dismantled world number one Victoria Azarenka in the semi-finals, with the Belarusian looking absolutely clueless at times against the brutal assault meted out by the legendary American. Williams, if she plays at her best, will win - no question about that. The only issue will be her fatigue, having to juggle between the doubles with her sister Venus, not that that stopped her during the Wimbledon Grand Slam, where she went on to complete the double.
Williams has admitted she would prefer to win the doubles gold over the singles gold, however Sharapova will know that will not stop the Wimbledon champion from taking her foot off the pedal.
"Whether I win or lose, that's not the big deal," Williams said. "The big deal for me, USA is guaranteed another medal. I'm guaranteed to just go out there tomorrow and have fun. That's all I can do."
Fun is what Williams has had over the past week, of course her opponents might think otherwise, with the multiple Grand Slam champion blowing away pretty much every opponent.
Sharapova, who won the French Open this year to complete a career Grand Slam but failed to shine at Wimbledon, will be looking to show her mettle against her formidable opponent. If there is any player capable of stopping Williams on the grass -courts of the All-England club, it is the Russian. Sharapova, in the current women's game, is probably the only woman with the weapons to hurt Williams, and the American is completely aware of the threat posed by her 25-year-old opponent. "Maria does everything really well," Williams said. "She's improved so much from week to week.
"I mean, the worst thing for her to do is lose because the next time she comes out, she wins and improves, she never looks back."
Sharapova admitted just being in the finals, was a battle half-won. "Well it's incredible, not only to be part of this event and be an Olympian, but to put yourself in with an opportunity to go for gold. It's a really nice feeling," the Russian told reporters.
"I've been really fortunate to win all the grand slams and obviously this is my first Olympics so I'm just thrilled to be in the finals."
Sharapova has the uncanny ability to bring her 'A' game to the big occasions, although the smart money will be on Williams winning her second-straight title on the grass-courts of Wimbledon.
