WWW OG SF: [1] Victoria AZARENKA VS [4] Serena WILLIAMS
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Ok let's go there.
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thank u so muchNo problem
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it all depends on Serena's serve, sorry for Aza but Serena is too strong
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This match is much closer than people think. If the roof is open its 50/50. I'll take Serena in a very tough 3 set match. I would not be surprised if Aza wins. IMHO, these are the 2 best players left in the tournament. Whoever wins here, wins the Gold. We should look at this as the real Olympic Finals.
Key points.
Azarenka- Must get first serve in and get points. Don't get rattled when things go poorly. Must take chances, especially on Serena's second serve.
Serena- Unforced errors. Serena has had tournaments where she has looked good and then all of a sudden the forehand goes crazy. Serena has the idea that when she loses she beats herself. This is true.
Key stat- Serena is 8-1 all time against Azarenka. 2-0 on grass.
Second key stat-Weather. A day with lots of wind favors Azarenka because it makes the serve less effective. If the game is played with the roof closed. Its over.
Key points.
Azarenka- Must get first serve in and get points. Don't get rattled when things go poorly. Must take chances, especially on Serena's second serve.
Serena- Unforced errors. Serena has had tournaments where she has looked good and then all of a sudden the forehand goes crazy. Serena has the idea that when she loses she beats herself. This is true.
Key stat- Serena is 8-1 all time against Azarenka. 2-0 on grass.
Second key stat-Weather. A day with lots of wind favors Azarenka because it makes the serve less effective. If the game is played with the roof closed. Its over.
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I don't even think the roof really matters that much. Serena often plays very well in windy conditions, although you would think this might affect her serve.
Windy conditions don't affect just one player, it's tough for both and in the past Serena often handled it better than her opponents.
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Serena is one of the best wind players out there. It was fairly windy in the first set today, and her serve was holding up well (partly because of how simple her motion is and how short her ball toss is). Azarenka on the otherhand has a big-ish ball toss and her record in windy conditions isnt exactly good. Also unlike Serena, Azarenka gets distracted more easily.
The keys to this match, as usual, are going to be how well Serena is serving and hitting her returns. In my opinion, she has been returning really consistently with deep shots at the opponents feet throughout this tournament. If she can continue that and not get dragged into grinding rallies, she will win in straights.
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Straight set win by Serena. 6-3, 7-5.
As far as conditions affecting play, Serena has the far superior serve. Its less affected by the elements. The same cannot be said of Azarenka. She has to serve well to win. If its windy, then her toss is going to be affected. And if she gets rattled because the serve is off and/or Serena is returning well, then she's the one at the disadvantage. Under the roof, Serena is helped a lot.
Serena: must serve well; return decently; solid forehand with deep shots; keep moving well; and when she gets the opening, put the ball away to avoid long rallies. Just do what you've been doing dear!
Azarenka: absolutely must serve well; must be able to make some dent into the greatest serve of all time; cannot afford to over hit; must draw Serena into long rallies; should make Serena run, run, run since she has also played doubles; must put out of her mind the beat downs that have been inflicted on her by Serena; must not think about the blow outs or tasty bagels served up by Serena the past few days; and lastly must take advantage of any nervous or shaky moment by Serena.
Nonetheless, Serena like all the others is on a mission. Yet her form has been far superior than any of the other semi-finalists. SERENA in 2 sets.
As far as conditions affecting play, Serena has the far superior serve. Its less affected by the elements. The same cannot be said of Azarenka. She has to serve well to win. If its windy, then her toss is going to be affected. And if she gets rattled because the serve is off and/or Serena is returning well, then she's the one at the disadvantage. Under the roof, Serena is helped a lot.
Serena: must serve well; return decently; solid forehand with deep shots; keep moving well; and when she gets the opening, put the ball away to avoid long rallies. Just do what you've been doing dear!
Azarenka: absolutely must serve well; must be able to make some dent into the greatest serve of all time; cannot afford to over hit; must draw Serena into long rallies; should make Serena run, run, run since she has also played doubles; must put out of her mind the beat downs that have been inflicted on her by Serena; must not think about the blow outs or tasty bagels served up by Serena the past few days; and lastly must take advantage of any nervous or shaky moment by Serena.
Nonetheless, Serena like all the others is on a mission. Yet her form has been far superior than any of the other semi-finalists. SERENA in 2 sets.
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I feel like people say this about Vika every single time she's set to face Serena. When's the last time that was actually true? In the Australian Open two years ago?
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Vika has to hope for a bad serving day from Serena - but Serena already had her obligatory "bad" serving day for the Quarter Finals ("bad" by her standards - "only" 6 aces). The Queen simply chose not to take advantage of that since her best part of the season is coming after the Olympics and she has no reason to be hanging around in London.
Serena will serve pretty well for the rest of the tournament and the rest of her game will be in check after being allowed to progress to the Semi Finals by the toughest opponent in her draw. Pray for mercy. Serena in 2.
Serena will serve pretty well for the rest of the tournament and the rest of her game will be in check after being allowed to progress to the Semi Finals by the toughest opponent in her draw. Pray for mercy. Serena in 2.
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