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Rolle shares stage with Williams despite disparities

Their matches were separated by a few hundred meters on Wednesday, but the gap between Serena Williams and Ahsha Rolle might as well be measured in light-years.

Camera flashes announced Williams' entrance into Arthur Ashe Stadium just as Rolle set off a celebration among the few thousand people at the grandstand court who watched her fall to the court in relief and triumph.

Williams and Rolle are twentysomething African-American women playing the same sport at the same tournament, winning second-round matches on the same night. But for Rolle, a 22-year-old unknown, beating the equally anonymous Karin Knapp of Germany qualified as a career-changing moment. Williams, one of the game's glitziest stars, easily beat Maria Elena Camerin of Italy, wearing a set of diamond earrings and a matching necklace that might have cost more than Rolle has earned all year (US$57,000).

"Amazing," Rolle said of her second-round victory, which advanced her further than she had in any top-level tournament, much less a Grand Slam event. "I've worked so hard to get here. My hard work is finally paying off. It's an amazing feeling."

Rolle, who is from Miami Shores, Florida, battled long and hard for a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory against Knapp, while Williams battled mostly herself in a 7-5, 6-2 victory. Williams' drama surrounded her outfit -- the pink and black dress now minus the pink bow she ripped off in frustration in a first-round victory on Monday.

Until two years ago, Rolle's parents risked financial ruin to bankroll her career, as she made a slow climb from promising youngster to a pro player.

"My parents have sacrificed so many things for me to be able to play this sport," Rolle said. "I'm forever indebted to them."

Leon, a retired lawyer and Sharon, a retired pharmaceutical representative, had begun draining their retirement accounts to pay for Rolle's coaches, shoes and travel expenses. Two years ago, Rolle finally progressed far enough to earn support from the USTA development program.

Once, when Rolle was 9, she went to the Williamses' house in Florida to watch Venus and Serena practice. She has looked up to them since and hopes to compete at their level someday.

"I mean, I work hard, just as hard as they do, so why not?" she said. "I always knew I had the ability, it's a matter of it coming together. I'm excited. I'm going to ride it as long as it lasts."
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