Would still like to think that Lisicki won't pose a massive threat, hanging onto the clean 3-0 record. :lol: Still don't think a good performance against a Safarova type is enough to suggest that 'she's back!1!!!1!'
Vika's maiden slam win is currently second in the poll "What’s your favorite Australian Open moment from 2012?" behind the men's final. Not a bad result.
Good match from Victoria -- Sabine played Victoria just like I wanted especially in the first [the first set was really high quality from both] but seems like Victoria was fit and ready to go since a long time already, pretty routined her with ease [in the second, despite all these series of service breaks which could have made it easier on herself], there are still certain things to be ameliorated a bit but I like what I saw.
As for her serve, it seems really good, at least the first serve was very good, now would like to see her keep that up in following matches and tournaments. Hopefully it wasn't that one of a few good serving blip for the year.
Couldn't have asked for a better result in this match.
The second serve was useless today as Lisicki really punished it on every occasion but credit to Vika for not starting to DF like crazy. And I like how she hit a couple of aces to save BPs in the second set. Rallying was good, BP conversion was great in the first set but really messy in the second.
Tomorrow's match: Victoria AZARENKA (BLR) [1] vs [Q] Ksenia PERVAK (KAZ) Not Before 1:00 PM (4 AM CET )
Yeah first serve was good, return was good, Sabine had one of her on days and Vika still won 6-3 6-3. A better performance than I expected for the first match of the season.
I thought Vika's movement looked a bit sluggish, she was quite slow to get up to some dropshots. She doesn't look in as good shape physically as this point last year.
Best moment was the winner at 4-3 second set then the sulky face
It was always going to a challenging match for Vika and i agree with the movement she was routed to the spot a lot today but Sabine was great off the ground, that miss hit return in the first set that hit the baseline though :lol:
Brisbane Intl @BrisbaneTennis
"It is good to have such a challenge to begin the year" Azarenka said. #BI2013
"The atmosphere here at Brisbane brings out the best in me" Azarenka reveals. #BI2013
Matt Cronin @TennisReporters
Azarenka looked at the picture of herself winning Brisbane in 2009 & thought 'I didnt look 19, I looked so young like I was 12'
So tomorrow we see a qualifier Ksenia Pervak, left-handed Kazakhstani, who achieved fresh victories from Caroline Wozniacki (#10) and Urzsula Radwanska (#31), but her current WTA ranking is #103.
Vika and Ksenia haven´t played against each other before.
Looks like Vika handled the fiesty German well. I'm sure she enjoyed sucking the Vampire's blood couldnt watch the match though...damn the schedule Next match has been scheduled perfect to watch at PST timings
This might seem over-optimistic but it seems like Victoria has really resolved the mental issues she had with her serve -- she's really going through them/hitting them very cleanly and with the perfect dose of aggressiveness [despite some bugging DFs but nothing too serious], well now we'll see if that eventual good work stands out against her next 'the person you must not name' opponent.
Overall, Victoria seems really so ready to straddle all the upcoming challenges... really like that even though there are certain little stuffs to tweak here and there if we search for absolute perfection. I really pray that she succeeds, again...