It wasn’t the prettiest match, but Angelique Kerber just dismissed Victoria Azarenka in a straight sets win to be in the semifinals for the first time at the Australian Open. Prior to this match, Azarenka led the head to head match up at an undefeated 6-0. In fact, she just added the latest victory at Brisbane, one of the tune up tournaments.
The German pulled off the first upset of the day on Rod Laver Arena in front of a packed stadium. Azarenka committed numerous errors throughout the 2 hour match, but it was Kerber’ aggressive attacking game plan that helped her prevail, especially on her return games.
Right from the first game, Kerber was able to surprise Azarenka by going on the offense right away, going for big shots. Not to be intimidated, Azarenka responded with power in kind, but she missed a shot wide to quickly be down 0-40. One the next point she decided to pull the trigger first again, but missed to give the early break. However, she showed no signs for panic, instead staying focused and earned a break chance. But a major difference between the two players today was in the return of serve, and the first of many balls into the net allowed Kerber to hold for 2-0. A loud “come on!’ from Azarenka punctuated the silence after a point to keep herself pumped up in this set after she executed a perfect volley at net. But Kerber had done her homework on the Azarenka serve, and hit another big return for break point. It was erased, so she hit yet another big return for break chance once more. The former champ refused to give up easily, and fought back to deuce. This time Kerber found the angle for a huge passing shot for break chance #3. Perhaps succumbing to the pressure, Azarenka then double faulted to extend the gap, 0-3. One thing to note here: unlike the men’s side, where holding serve is very much the norm, the WTA is the opposite. Trading breaks is almost expected. Funny, but true. Both women are crushing balls over the net at each other, and the high level of fitness was on display as Kerber stood unfazed to hold for 4-0. The 5th game finally saw Azarenka reach game point, and a miss from the German helped her get on the scoreboard. In the next game Azarenka found luck on her side off a net cord that went her way for break point chance. Kerber fought it off, but on a second opportunity Azarenka came in to net and mixed up her power game with a well timed drop volley to secure the break 2-4. She then managed to hold for 3-4, but still down a break. The next game would prove to be crucial, which went to 5 deuces. Kerber, who is a lefty, then connected on a backhand winner for game point. Her opponent just could not match her in the returns department today, sending a return long to let Kerber out of jail. The pressure was right back on Azarenka, especially as Kerber continued to make massive returns to set up the point. A missed dropshot gave Kerber 3 set points. Mounting a comeback, Azarenka saved all 3 with an ace, volley winner, and a swinging volley into the open court. But after another long brutal rally, Kerber finally broke through to take the first set.
Azarenka began the 2nd set with her emotions under control, and quickly broke Kerber first with some of her trademark power tennis. She then backed it up with an ace to hold for 2-0. It looked like the momentum was swaying to the Belarusian’s side. In the 6th game, Kerber found her form on return of serve again and earned break chance. But this time she failed to capitalize, and Azarenka held for 4-2. Even worse, the German then missed a crucial point at net to give another game away. Down 2-5, the set looked all but over.
What happened next can only be described by what Kerber said after the match “I don’t know what to say just thank you”. Indeed, Azarenka lined up a perfect passing shot to go up 40-0. Then out of nowhere, Kerber saved all 3 set points. A stunned Azarenka then double faulted to make it 5-3. Kerber wasted no time to close the gap for 4-5, then broke through again to level it at 5-5. This time she made it happen with a winner down the line off the forehand side. Down 5-6 on her own serve, Azarenka looked deflated as she dumped a ball into the net at match point. It was quite the turn of events, one that even the former champ did not seem to process very well as the match unfolded.
Kerber remained very much in shock still after Azarenka walked off the court. She thanked the crowd profusely for their support, stating “It’s just amazing. Thank you guys so much.” Referring to the 2nd set, she confessed “I was not thinking too much about the score.” Asked how she managed to pull off the upset, the answer was matter of factly: “just play like you play on practice court…to be more aggressive.” That she certainly did today.
