SUBSCRIBE TO NEWSLETTER!
 
 
Facebook Social Button Twitter Social Button Follow Us on InstagramYouTube Social Button
NewsScoresRankingsLucky Letcord PodcastShopPro GearPickleballGear Sale


By Erik Gudris/September 3, 2013

 

Victoria Azarenka once again found a way to win when not playing her best as she defeated Ana Ivanovic to reach the US Open quarterfinals.
Photo Credit: AP

 

Held over because of Monday's lengthy rain delay in New York, Victoria Azarenka and Ana Ivanovic kicked off Tuesday with a bright and early start to their fourth round match. Despite what felt like an inevitable ending, the seventh meeting between them provided some surprising drama and also proved a microcosm of Azarenka's summer and Ivanovic's recent career.

Ivanovic, perhaps wanting to prove she was a morning person, jumped out to a 3-0 lead in front of the sparse crowd gathered on Arthur Ashe Stadium. A cranky Azarenka yelled, "Are you freaking kidding me?" at umpire Eva Asderaki over a call proving that the No. 2 seed certainly was not thrilled to be playing so soon in the day. Azarenka managed to crack her first winner midway through the first set, but still found herself down a break.

If Ivanovic could keep holding her own serve was the main question and Azarenka soon answered it by breaking back later for 4-5. But Ivanovic responded with some 2008-style back-to-back forehand winners to break Azarenka again and claim the set 6-4.

Was an upset in the offering? Both women played a close three setter in Carlsbad earlier in the summer that Ivanovic lost to a rusty looking Azarenka who was just coming back to action after taking a spill at Wimbledon. Though Ivanovic herself said later she took a lot of confidence out of that match, a third set today felt expected. Even with Ivanovic hitting over three times more winners than Azarenka at this juncture in the match.

Neither woman could hold serve early in the second until Azarenka finally managed to hold for a 4-2 advantage. From there, Azarenka would take the set and then surge to a 2-0 lead in the decider. As Ivanovic began to miss more often, Azarenka appeared poised to win yet another match, as she had all summer, by hanging around long enough and making the most of her opportunities.

But Ivanovic wasn't done just yet. Down 1-3, Ivanovic broke back thanks to an ill-timed double fault from Azarenka down break point. Ivanovic held for 3-all and, with her high-kicking fist pumps getting the crowd on her side, the former French Open champion looked ready to just maybe pull off the unthinkable comeback win. Many have waited for Ivanovic to become a true contender at the majors again instead of just a marquee name who only makes it so far during the first week. Was that all about to change?

Azarenka would have none of it. With measured groundstrokes, she broke Ivanovic to go up 5-3 and serve for the match. Yet Ivanovic upped her game by saving several match points by winning crosscourt backhand exchanges with Azarenka. Now with a break point, Ivanovic responded with a forehand winner, like she had hit earlier in the match, to edge closer to 5-4.

Ivanovic, serving to force 5-all, got to 30-0 on her serve. But Ivanovic's emotions swayed with every point. Triumphant joy with every winner followed by exasperation with each error. It was a big moment, but Ivanovic seemed unable to keep her cool when it mattered. Azarenka soon had another match point that Ivanovic saved with yet another forehand winner.

But on the final point, Ivanovic netted a rather causal looking backhand. Azarenka escaped with the 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win to reach the quarterfinals where she will face Daniela Hantuchova.

Ivanovic afterwards tried to look at the positives despite admitting disappointing in being so close with Azarenka.

"Yeah, I think this match was a lot better quality than the one we played in Carlsbad. But, you know, it's just frustrating because I still had opportunities, I felt. It was very, very close match. But it's very encouraging, because I know I'm right there with them. She's top player, you know. She just came from winning in Cincinnati. It's definitely a lot of positives to take from this week and this match. But it still doesn't change. It's disappointing and it hurts."

"It was a big battle. That's what I was expecting from Ana. I think she's playing much, much better right now. Her level has showed a lot in this match. She came out firing with a lot of great shots and served really well," said Azarenka. "But I started to create more opportunities.  In the end of the first set it was already turning around, but I slipped away a few opportunities."

Like her last match against Alize Cornet and like many matches this summer, it wasn't the best we've seen from Azarenka. But it was good enough. Is it good enough to win her first US Open title? We'll soon find out.

Li Na Overcomes Nerves and Opponent to Reach US Open Semis

No. 5 seed Li Na overcame her own nerves and an determined opponent to reach her first ever US Open semifinal.

Facing No. 24 seed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, Li secured the first set and served for the match at 5-4. But nervous errors from China's No. 1 allowed Makarova back into the second set where she eventually forced a tiebreak.

Li once again held a lead at 4-2 in the breaker, but more errors off of her racquet gave Makarova the set and forced a decider. But Li took advantage of an early break of serve to eventually secure the 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-2 win.

Li will now face the winner of the Serena Williams versus Carla Suarez Navarro match to be played later tonight.

Follow Erik Gudris on Twitter @ATNtennis


(Photo Credit: AP)

 

Latest News