(Rank/Seed)
(4/4) Serena Williams came through a gripping 3 set tussle with (1/1) Victoria Azarenka to win her 15th Grand Slam title. I had predicted that Serena would stroll through, and for a while it appeared she would, but Azarenka came back firing. She just missed out, failing to serve it out, losing 62 26 75!
1st Set
Williams was in control from the off, breaking Azarenka in the 2nd game and as she served to stay in the set. Williams was too strong on the return and Azarenka appeared nervous
2nd Set
A small lack of concentration led to Azarenka breaking Williams in the 1st game and used extra crowd support to buoy her to a 5-1 lead as Williams hit too many unforced errors. Williams was hitting the ball too hard and flat and Azarenka returned better
3rd Set
Pushing Williams to a 3rd set for the first time since 2010 and as the 1st player to do it all tournament, Azarenka carried the advantage. An early trade of breaks followed, until Azarenka broke an erratic Williams again in the 7th game. After holding her serve, Williams served to stay in the match at 3-5 and responded brilliantly from 30-30 to hold. Azarenka appeared nervous whilst serving for the match and couldn't extend the points. Williams was back for good and took control and despite Azarenka holding two points to take the match into a tiebreak, Williams converted her 1st match point as Azarenka's backhand sailed long
The stats surrounding this match go on and on; Serena holds the longest gap between 1st and most recent Grand Slam titles, now a span of 13 years, Serena's the 1st 30+ Grand Slam winner since Navratilova in 1987, this was the 1st US Open women's final to go to 3 sets since 1995 etc. What really is important is how good an advert the match was for women's tennis; a brilliantly competitive performance from the current number one and the woman many believe to be the world's best. One things for certain though; next time Azarenka will be out for revenge
* As a Brit, I have to mention Andy Murray's success in the men's singles, backing up his Olympic gold medal with his 1st Grand Slam title. He beat Djokovic 76(10) 75 26 36 62 to become the first British man to win a Grand Slam singles title since Fred Perry's success at the US Open in 1936
Tuesday, 11 September 2012
Saturday, 8 September 2012
US Open Final: Azarenka or Serena?
The current world number one, Victoria Azarenka will take on former world number one, Serena Williams in the US Open final tonight. Who will win?
Williams dominates the head to head 9-1. She has won the last 7 meetings, all but one in straight sets and all 3 meetings this year, including the semi finals of Wimbledon and the Olympics. So on paper, the odds look bleak for Azarenka. However, Victoria has won more matches this year on hard courts (32-2) and has won her only Grand Slam final this year, demolishing Sharapova in Australia. Still, Williams is looking to win her 15th Grand Slam title and having won Wimbledon and Olympic gold seems to have inspired her. She's only lost 4 matches all year and has an imposing 14-4 win loss ratio in Grand Slam finals. So far, she's dropped just 19 games to get here, compared to Azarenka who's been pushed to 3 sets in the last 2 rounds. Azarenka has to hope that Williams has one of those rare 'off days' as she had in the final last year against Stosur or else she seems to have no chance
I predict Williams will win her 4th US Open title in straight sets and reaffirm her dominance over the top players, having not lost to a top 5 player in her last 13 meetings nor a number one since losing at the US Open to Justine Henin in 2007
Williams dominates the head to head 9-1. She has won the last 7 meetings, all but one in straight sets and all 3 meetings this year, including the semi finals of Wimbledon and the Olympics. So on paper, the odds look bleak for Azarenka. However, Victoria has won more matches this year on hard courts (32-2) and has won her only Grand Slam final this year, demolishing Sharapova in Australia. Still, Williams is looking to win her 15th Grand Slam title and having won Wimbledon and Olympic gold seems to have inspired her. She's only lost 4 matches all year and has an imposing 14-4 win loss ratio in Grand Slam finals. So far, she's dropped just 19 games to get here, compared to Azarenka who's been pushed to 3 sets in the last 2 rounds. Azarenka has to hope that Williams has one of those rare 'off days' as she had in the final last year against Stosur or else she seems to have no chance
I predict Williams will win her 4th US Open title in straight sets and reaffirm her dominance over the top players, having not lost to a top 5 player in her last 13 meetings nor a number one since losing at the US Open to Justine Henin in 2007
Azarenka Silences Sharapova, Serena Strolls
The US Open semifinals couldn't have been more opposite. One was a terrific three set duel that was evenly matched and unpredictable, whilst the other was, as predicted by many, a straight sets demolition
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka battled past (3/3) Sharapova 36 62 64. Sharapova started quickly out of the blocks, racing to a 5-1 lead as Azarenka struggled for rhythm. From here on in, Azarenka began to find her game and Sharapova's level dropped. Despite taking an early break lead in the 2nd set, Sharapova was made to rue some wild forehands as Victoria romped through the second. The 3rd set was intense as neither player had lost a three setter all year. The games went with serve for the 1st 8 games but Sharapova was always forced to battle, whether through deuces or break points and eventually it got her, Azarenka's greater returning consistency giving her the decisive break to win the match. Azarenka has now beaten Maria in all 3 hard court meetings this year and in 5 out of 7 meetings on the surface. She moves into her 2nd Grand Slam final of the year and her 1st at the US Open, whilst Sharapova's unblemished record in 3 setters this season is, as it was last year, tarnished at the US Open
4/4 S. Williams destroyed (10/10) Errani 61 62. From the beginning, Serena laid down the law, bossing the points with her power. Errani never got close to breaking Serena and even in the 2nd set when she tried to be more assertive, Serena simply lined up her target and executed. Hitting 38 winners, Serena was simply too good and now looks for her 15th Grand Slam title in her 6th US Open final
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka battled past (3/3) Sharapova 36 62 64. Sharapova started quickly out of the blocks, racing to a 5-1 lead as Azarenka struggled for rhythm. From here on in, Azarenka began to find her game and Sharapova's level dropped. Despite taking an early break lead in the 2nd set, Sharapova was made to rue some wild forehands as Victoria romped through the second. The 3rd set was intense as neither player had lost a three setter all year. The games went with serve for the 1st 8 games but Sharapova was always forced to battle, whether through deuces or break points and eventually it got her, Azarenka's greater returning consistency giving her the decisive break to win the match. Azarenka has now beaten Maria in all 3 hard court meetings this year and in 5 out of 7 meetings on the surface. She moves into her 2nd Grand Slam final of the year and her 1st at the US Open, whilst Sharapova's unblemished record in 3 setters this season is, as it was last year, tarnished at the US Open
4/4 S. Williams destroyed (10/10) Errani 61 62. From the beginning, Serena laid down the law, bossing the points with her power. Errani never got close to breaking Serena and even in the 2nd set when she tried to be more assertive, Serena simply lined up her target and executed. Hitting 38 winners, Serena was simply too good and now looks for her 15th Grand Slam title in her 6th US Open final
Thursday, 6 September 2012
Seeds Conquer Quarterfinals
The top seeds had different routes through to the semifinals, but the highest seed in each case came through
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka edged (7/7) Stosur 61 46 76(5). Never before had Stosur even taken a set off Azarenka, so when Victoria took the 1st set at the loss of a game, things didn't look good. However, Stosur began to find her forehand and struck back in the 2nd. In the 3rd, Stosur constantly kept coming back, from 1-3 and 2-4 down and then 0-4 to 5-5 in the tiebreak. Azarenka proved her number one credentials here though, winning the next two points coolly to push into her 1st US Open semi final and guarantee the number one ranking after the tournament
3/3 Sharapova battled past (11/11) Bartoli 36 63 64. Bartoli had never beaten Sharapova before, but got off to a flying 4-0 lead in the 1st set when the match was called off for a day due to rain. On resumption, Bartoli continued dominating against an erratic Sharapova, taking the set and going up an early break in the 2nd. However, Sharapova began to find her serve and despite crucial moments in the 3rd i.e. 2-3 15-40, Maria continued her perfect 3 set match record this year to reach her 1st US Open semifinal since 2006
4/4 S. Williams crushed (13/12) Ivanovic 61 63, continuing her credentials as tournament favourite
10/10 Errani defeated compatriot (19/20) Vinci 62 64. In an understandably muted quarterfinal, Errani became the 1st Italian woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal outside of Paris, taking advantage of her less experienced opponents unforced errors
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka edged (7/7) Stosur 61 46 76(5). Never before had Stosur even taken a set off Azarenka, so when Victoria took the 1st set at the loss of a game, things didn't look good. However, Stosur began to find her forehand and struck back in the 2nd. In the 3rd, Stosur constantly kept coming back, from 1-3 and 2-4 down and then 0-4 to 5-5 in the tiebreak. Azarenka proved her number one credentials here though, winning the next two points coolly to push into her 1st US Open semi final and guarantee the number one ranking after the tournament
3/3 Sharapova battled past (11/11) Bartoli 36 63 64. Bartoli had never beaten Sharapova before, but got off to a flying 4-0 lead in the 1st set when the match was called off for a day due to rain. On resumption, Bartoli continued dominating against an erratic Sharapova, taking the set and going up an early break in the 2nd. However, Sharapova began to find her serve and despite crucial moments in the 3rd i.e. 2-3 15-40, Maria continued her perfect 3 set match record this year to reach her 1st US Open semifinal since 2006
4/4 S. Williams crushed (13/12) Ivanovic 61 63, continuing her credentials as tournament favourite
10/10 Errani defeated compatriot (19/20) Vinci 62 64. In an understandably muted quarterfinal, Errani became the 1st Italian woman to reach a Grand Slam semifinal outside of Paris, taking advantage of her less experienced opponents unforced errors
Tuesday, 4 September 2012
Italians Stun Seeds
The 4th round has now finished and there was a couple of notable upsets of two high seeds
(Rank/Seed)
19/20 Vinci overcame the odds to defeat (2/2) A. Radwanska 61 64. Vinci had lost all 4 meetings against Radwanska before, but took advantage of the slow courts to mix up the play and take out an out of sorts Radwanska, who still hasn't made it beyond the last 16 at the US Open
4/4 S. Williams crushed Hlavackova 60 60, her 5th career double bagel
10/10 Errani out rallied (6/6) Kerber 76(5) 63 to reach her third grand slam quarterfinal of the year. After a marathon 71 minute first set, Errani took control, pulling Kerber all over the court with her topspin drives. She will now play her close friend and doubles partner, Roberta Vinci in the 1st ever all Italian Grand Slam quarterfinal
13/12 Ivanovic finally reaches her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since winning the French Open in 2008, beating Pironkova 60 64
(Rank/Seed)
19/20 Vinci overcame the odds to defeat (2/2) A. Radwanska 61 64. Vinci had lost all 4 meetings against Radwanska before, but took advantage of the slow courts to mix up the play and take out an out of sorts Radwanska, who still hasn't made it beyond the last 16 at the US Open
4/4 S. Williams crushed Hlavackova 60 60, her 5th career double bagel
10/10 Errani out rallied (6/6) Kerber 76(5) 63 to reach her third grand slam quarterfinal of the year. After a marathon 71 minute first set, Errani took control, pulling Kerber all over the court with her topspin drives. She will now play her close friend and doubles partner, Roberta Vinci in the 1st ever all Italian Grand Slam quarterfinal
13/12 Ivanovic finally reaches her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since winning the French Open in 2008, beating Pironkova 60 64
Monday, 3 September 2012
Kvitova's Taken Out
The top half of the draw played their 4th round matches and 3 of the 4 top seeds moved into the quarterfinals, bar Petra Kvitova
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka moved into her 1st US Open quarterfinal, beating Tatishvili 62 62 in a tougher match than the scoreline indicates
3/3 Sharapova may have been saved by a rain delay as Petrova turned the match around to lead 16 64 20, but Sharapova had a word with her Dad and came out firing to win 61 46 64 to reach her first US Open quarterfinal since 2006
11/11 Bartoli upset the US Open Series champion (5/5) Kvitova 16 62 60! Kvitova dominated early on just as she had done the other week in Montreal, but Bartoli won 11 of the last 12 games against an increasingly fatigued looking Kvitova to snap the Czechs 7 match winning streak and move into her first US Open quarterfinal
7/7 Stosur snapped the fairytale run of Robson 64 64. Robson hit too many unforced errors and was left to rue missed opportunities. Finally, after saving 8 match points, Robson lost on the 9th
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka moved into her 1st US Open quarterfinal, beating Tatishvili 62 62 in a tougher match than the scoreline indicates
3/3 Sharapova may have been saved by a rain delay as Petrova turned the match around to lead 16 64 20, but Sharapova had a word with her Dad and came out firing to win 61 46 64 to reach her first US Open quarterfinal since 2006
11/11 Bartoli upset the US Open Series champion (5/5) Kvitova 16 62 60! Kvitova dominated early on just as she had done the other week in Montreal, but Bartoli won 11 of the last 12 games against an increasingly fatigued looking Kvitova to snap the Czechs 7 match winning streak and move into her first US Open quarterfinal
7/7 Stosur snapped the fairytale run of Robson 64 64. Robson hit too many unforced errors and was left to rue missed opportunities. Finally, after saving 8 match points, Robson lost on the 9th
Sunday, 2 September 2012
Kirilenko Upset in 3rd Round
As the 3rd round wrapped up, most top seeds carried on progressing, bar a notable couple
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 A. Radwanska edged 2008 finalist Jankovic 63 75 in a break riddled match in hot conditions. Radwanska has at least equalled her previous US Open bests of 07 and 08
4/4 S. Williams battled hard to begin with, but then pulled away to avenge her Australian Open loss to Makarova 64 60
6/6 Kerber comfortably moved forward, beating Govortsova 61 62
10/10 Errani crushed qualifier Puchkova 61 61
Hlavackova upset New Haven finalist (12/14) Kirilenko 57 64 64
(13/12) Ivanovic replicated last years win over Stephens 67(4) 64 62. She now has a chance to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the French Open 2008!
(19/20) Vinci continued her success against Carlsbad champion (14/13) Cibulkova 62 75
(Rank/Seed)
2/2 A. Radwanska edged 2008 finalist Jankovic 63 75 in a break riddled match in hot conditions. Radwanska has at least equalled her previous US Open bests of 07 and 08
4/4 S. Williams battled hard to begin with, but then pulled away to avenge her Australian Open loss to Makarova 64 60
6/6 Kerber comfortably moved forward, beating Govortsova 61 62
10/10 Errani crushed qualifier Puchkova 61 61
Hlavackova upset New Haven finalist (12/14) Kirilenko 57 64 64
(13/12) Ivanovic replicated last years win over Stephens 67(4) 64 62. She now has a chance to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the French Open 2008!
(19/20) Vinci continued her success against Carlsbad champion (14/13) Cibulkova 62 75
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Top Seeds Triumph
The 3rd round got underway and the top seeds were ruthless, apart from one!
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka destroyed Zheng 60 61 in the night session
3/3 Sharapova crushed college player Burdette 61 61
5/5 Kvitova continued winning, albeit closer against Parmentier 64 64
7/7 Stosur continued her title defence 76(5) 62
Robson continued her remarkable run through the US Open, defeating Cincy champion and US Open series runner up, (8/9) Li 64 67(5) 62! Robson served brilliantly, once again reacting brilliantly to any dips in form she encountered or any on court distractions. Li couldn't live with Robson's pace at times and looked anxious towards the end. Robson now faces the improbable task of beating Stosur!
11/11 Bartoli made the last 16 for the first time in a slam this year, beating compatriot Mladenovic 62 64
Petrova pulled off a minor upset, beating (17/15) Safarova 64 75, though it wasn't so surprising considering Petrova had beaten Lucie in 4 out of 5 previous meetings
(Rank/Seed)
1/1 Azarenka destroyed Zheng 60 61 in the night session
3/3 Sharapova crushed college player Burdette 61 61
5/5 Kvitova continued winning, albeit closer against Parmentier 64 64
7/7 Stosur continued her title defence 76(5) 62
Robson continued her remarkable run through the US Open, defeating Cincy champion and US Open series runner up, (8/9) Li 64 67(5) 62! Robson served brilliantly, once again reacting brilliantly to any dips in form she encountered or any on court distractions. Li couldn't live with Robson's pace at times and looked anxious towards the end. Robson now faces the improbable task of beating Stosur!
11/11 Bartoli made the last 16 for the first time in a slam this year, beating compatriot Mladenovic 62 64
Petrova pulled off a minor upset, beating (17/15) Safarova 64 75, though it wasn't so surprising considering Petrova had beaten Lucie in 4 out of 5 previous meetings
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