Victoria Azarenka has booked her ticket into the quarterfinals once more after her win over Barbora Strycova in straight sets today 6-2 6-4.
It was a sunny day on Rod Laver Arena as both players took to court, Victoria with her trademark earphones on. Strycova, who arrives after her huge upset over Muguruza in the previous round, is 0-4 thus far against the tall Belarusian. In fact, the two faced each other here at last year’s Australian Open as well.
Most fans know Azarenaka’s big hitting game, but were treated to the same from the other side of the net as well. Indeed, it was a battle of power today, and it was Strycova’s errors that proved too costly in the end. She racked up 33 total, more than double Azarenaka’s 14.
The first set, first game Strycova came out firing right away with an ace to hold serve. On her next service game however, the crowd is reminded why Azarenaka can be so dangerous, as she is able to hit with pace even when out of position, earning her 3 break chances. A fierce competitor herself, Strycova wisely saved break point off a dropshot, the first of many to come this match. After saving all 3 break points, she followed it up with a big forehand winner and then serve to hold for 2-1. This was not going to be the cakewalk akin to Azarenaka’s previous rounds.Victoria responded with conviction however, continuing to go big on her shots making the much shorter player run from side to side to win the point. She even threw in her own dropshot as if to say “I can do it too.” To Strycova’s credit, she stuck to her game plan and executed without nerves, but not the desired result. After hitting yet another dropshot winner, she then missed a forehand long to face break point. This time, Azarenka immediately stepped inside the baseline to return and Strycova then dumped her shot into the net for the break 1-3. Azarenka kept her momentum going, staying aggressive and coming to net to finish points. In the 7th game, Strycova has kept pace with a big forehand down the line. She then also ventured up to net but Azarenka blasted a backhand pass her to secure the double break for 5-2. The Czech player refused to lose in the power game as she kept going for bigger, but it merely ended in free points to Azarenka, this time for set point. And instead of making Azarenka win it, she missed again to give away the set. To be sure, the match was tighter than the score indicated however.
The game plan was sound, but Strycova’s lack of execution continued as set 2 got underway. She was never able to threaten Victoria on her service games due to her high error count. She managed only 2 break chances for the match, and converted 0. But one thing she does do better is the dropshot, which she continued to amaze the crowd with here and there for easy free points. Victoria on the other hand stood her ground at the baseline where she is much more comfortable, taking the ball early and redirecting it almost at will, forcing Strycova from side to side until the next error. More aggressive tennis from both sides ensued, with big returns off Strycova’s racket while Azarenka made a trip up to net to crush a backhand into the open court for 2-2. In the next game Azarenka had a chance for a break when Strcova double faults, but she then missed her own forehand. Both players remained dedicated to their power game plan, with Strycova adding in the dropshot element to stay toe to toe at 30-30. Once again, Azarenka earned break point with a big backhand into the corner but failed to convert with a missed return. As if the first set wasn’t tight enough, it looked dead even halfway through the 2nd set. In the 7th game, Azarenka applied the pressure non stop, returning from inside the baseline on each serve, and finally connects on a swinging volley that made Strycova slide into a fall in her attempt to chase the ball down. And then the unexpected happened: Strycova’s next drop shot floated high, which gave Azarenka plenty of time and she put it away for the lead 4-3. The finish line was in sight, but the very emotional Strycova continued her battle in the very next game, which began with a very long point that featured several lobs and overheads, ending with a bad call and a challenge that went in her favor. Azarenka showed some nerves herself, and proceeded to double fault to deuce. She then floated a forehand long to give Strycova the break chance right back. But the former champion fought off 2 more break chances and closed out the game at net with a winner down the line. 5-3. Whereas Victoria is most comfortable at the baseline, Strycova showed that she is much more an all court player as she came to net with winning volleys and overheads. She held fairly easy for 4-5. It was back on Azarenka’s racket to serve it out. And she only needed the first of two match points to cross that finish line.
Afterwards it was quite clear her mind was not focused on the tennis that she just played as she surveyed the entire Rod Laver crowd “Can somebody please tell me the Broncos win?”, to which the confirmation led her to then announce “I am so happy right now…I have a headache before the match” referring to her refusing to watch the NFL before coming out to play. On a more serious note, she then spoke about the match “I am just so happy I went through…I played smart…the 4 games I lost all the credit to Barbara…I am living my dream everyday.”
