From The Herald Sun: Vaidisova confronts girlhood idol in semi-final
NICOLE Vaidisova was 12 when she first saw Serena Williams warp tennis balls in the flesh.
Five years later the American powerhouse is Vaidisova's last barrier to a maiden grand slam final.
However Vaidisova is convinced she is ready to confront the seven-time grand slam title winner in their semi-final tomorrow...
"Serena would come sometimes to Bollettieri's to practise and I was very excited to see her. I admired the way she played," 10th seed Vaidisova said. "I've never played Serena before and she's definitely a great champion. I'll have to step it up, play 100 per cent again. I don't think I'll be going out there scared. I have a lot of respect for what she's done. But when you play, you don't think if she won a slam or not."
Vaidisova's second grand slam semi-final, coming on top of her French Open semi, further explains why tennis parents the world over try to find the cash to send their gifted children to the Florida tennis factory which also prepared Maria Sharapova and Andre Agassi for stardom.
"Florida gives a great opportunity for practice, but I think deep down I'm Czech. I'm very proud of that," she said.
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