Even more remarkable are the number of Williams's serves that opponents touched with a racket but couldn't return. Of the 329 serves she has hit, nearly half (166) never made it back over the net or fell outside the lines. Of the 327 serves Zvonareva hit, a mere 95 were unreturnable.
But even though the statistical signals suggest that the Russian won't have the strength to withstand the American's power and determination, the match is likely to have its own dynamic.
Williams has, at times, managed to lose concentration and control in important tournaments, including last year's United States Open, when she lost her temper and her semifinal match to Kim Clijsters.
Zvonareva has defeated Williams only once in the six times they've played. That was four years ago in Cincinnati at a rare moment when, through inactivity, Williams's ranking had dipped to 139th in the world. Since then, Williams has raised her ranking all the way back to the top.
Perhaps only one set of statistics suggest any parity between the finalists. Numbers compiled for AELTC show that in reaching the final, Zvonareva won her serve 52 times and lost it only 5 times. Williams has an edge, but it's paper thin: She won her serve 52 times and lost it only three times.
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