To beat Serena in a major already, Victoria needs to start momentum in those lower tier events. Unfortunately, we all know Serena's policy with these kinds of tournaments so the probability that they meet more in these is low.
I want them to play more of these kinds of events for Victoria to build confidence against her. They've only played 3 times in regular tour events (Miami, Madrid and this future encounter).
Brisbane isn't that big of a tournament, absolutely no pressure (theoretically) and it's the opportunity to try out new things she would be more reluctant to do for example in the a F of AO or any other really big event.
This match will be a good indicator IMO for what Victoria would eventually need to furhter ameliorate if they have to meet in AO, so I like that.
Those first two matches in this tournament showed at least that Vika hasn´t lost her consistency against lower ranked players outside top10 or top20. At the moment it seems that Li Na will win in Shenzhen, Agnieszka Radswanska in Auckland, and Vika and Serena Williams will decide who wins in Brisbane. All the other top 10 players have flopped more or less, and Maria Sharapova, Nadia Petrova and Maria Kirilenko haven´t played any matches in this season yet.
About tomorrow´s semi-final it is hard to say what we should expect. If Vika won a match, it should give her extra boost in her confidence against any future matches against Serena. Tomorrow´s match should be a real test before Melbourne e.g. how Vika´s serve is working and what kind of weapons she has to stop Serena. Against easier opponents Vika usually makes great comebacks and saves breakpoints if it is necessary. Now it is about 14,5 hours to the moment when the battle on the court starts. Let´s see what happens then. http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=47
Watched the match against Sabine, her second serve was eaten alive, back hand was not deep enough and not many great forehand DTLs but when she made them they were good, missed some returns also. I'd say she is in a 60% form which is not good enough even to stretch Serena. So I am not looking forward to that Semifinal:shrug:
Watched the match against Sabine, her second serve was eaten alive, back hand was not deep enough and not many great forehand DTLs but when she made them they were good, missed some returns also. I'd say she is in a 60% form which is not good enough even to stretch Serena. So I am not looking forward to that Semifinal:shrug:
I hope Vika takes as many risks as possible tomorrow including on her second serve because Serena is always going to return a winner if Vika does one of her half hearted second serves
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BREAKING: Victoria Azarenka has pulled out of her semi vs Serena Williams in Brisbane with injury. Not sure what. Will know shortly