Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka – US Open semifinal preview

The 2012 US Open semifinals feature three reigning Grand Slam champions (Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova, Serena Williams), one reigning Grand Slam runner-up (Sara Errani), and all the three London Olympics medalists. What more can you ask for? Our contributor Omair is back in action, giving us his take on the upcoming semifinal match-ups. First up, Victoria Azarenka vs. Maria Sharapova.

For the second time this year, Azarenka and Sharapova will square off at a Grand Slam. In the Australian Open final in January, Azarenka demolished Sharapova 6-3 6-0. This time, Sharapova will try to reach her third major final of the year, while Azarenka will work for her second.

Azarenka leads the head-to-head against Sharapova by a slim margin of 5-4. They have already met three times this year, each time in the finals, with Azarenka coming out on top in two of the meetings. However, it was Sharapova who won their last encounter at Stuttgart.

Let’s see their average stats for the matches played until the 2012 US Open quarterfinals.

The top-seeded Azarenka lost one set en route to the last four, while Sharapova survived three-setters in her last two matches. If you look at the stats, not much differentiates the two, but there will be a few key factors that both will need to work on.

SERVE: Azarenka has been a better server. Sharapova still lets her serving demons haunt her at times, and if she is to make it out of this match, she will have to lock those demons somewhere. Azarenka has served 5% better than Sharapova (first serve percentage), though Sharapova has won 2% more points behind her first serve. Second serve will be the key for both players. Azarenka has served three double faults on average per match, while Sharapova has doubled Azarenka in double faults. The player who will be able to make better use of her second serve will clearly have an advantage and a greater chance to win this match.

RETURN OF SERVE: Azarenka and Sharapova are among the best returners on the Tour. Sharapova has won 2% more points than Azarenka returning first serves, while Azarenka has won 4% more points returning second serves. This is the area each player will have to be very cautious of, since this might be the turning factor.

WINNERS – UNFORCED ERRORS: Azarenka and Sharapova both have +5 winners – unforced errors differential. Both players are power hitters and both try to outhit their opponents. The player who gets on a roll early in the match will clearly be in advantage. First-strike tennis will be at its peak and whoever gets the first strike more often will be the clear favorite.

It is very tough to choose between the two. However, judging by their performance so far, Sharapova was not at her peak in her last two matches, just as Azarenka in her last match. Sharapova will be keen on having some revenge for her lopsided Australian Open final loss, while Azarenka will try to make it through to her first US Open final.

The match promises to be a great show of tennis (and shrieks of course 😉 ). If both players are on, it will be tough to make a call in anyone’s favor. One is the reigning Australian Open champion, the other is the reigning French Open champion. One is Olympic bronze medalist, while the other one is Olympic silver medalist. One is current world No.1 and the other is former world No.1 (current world No.3). Most importantly, both are fighters who never give up!

I will go with Azarenka in three (just a gut feeling), despite knowing the fact that Sharapova is yet to lose a three-set match this year. Although, I would love to see Sharapova win and make it to the final, I guess Azarenka’s fire-power will be more than what Sharapova can handle at the moment, given her performance in her last two matches, but we also know that every day is a new day.

My pick: Victoria Azarenka in three sets. Who’s your pick?

Azarenka with her quarterfinal win over Sam Stosur ensured that she will retain the top spot after the US Open, while Sharapova with her quarterfinal win over Marion Bartoli will move to No.2 in the rankings. (photos: © Neal Trousdale)

Comments

12 responses to “Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka – US Open semifinal preview”

  1. Zech Avatar
    Zech

    Vika is also perfect in 3 set matches this year I believe.

  2. Des Platt Avatar
    Des Platt

    Pity both players can’t lose

  3. James Avatar

    I would agree and go for Azarenka in three sets. All their matches this year have been in straight sets but I really think this one will be tighter. Azarenka definitely appears to have the edge on hard courts and I think she has been the more impressive player so far but anything could happen tomorrow!

  4. deodave Avatar
    deodave

    love the article!!!

    so much smarter than the ones at bleacherreports or whatever.

    im going for maria on this one. Her dominance over the slams is long overdue. I love Azarenka… I love the energy between her and Maria. i hope they fight as viciously as they did back in stuttgart. i hope i see another shoulder bump.

    the WTA needs a rivalry like theirs… and a Maria VS. Serena final will still be a HUGE blockbuster no matter what people say.

  5. Marija Avatar
    Marija

    Oh, it’s a hard pick, but I’d go for the good old Maria! She can always get the edge and find the dominance somewhere inside of her.

    Zech, you’re right. Vika has played 10 three-setters this season, and won them all.

  6. rahul Avatar
    rahul

    i definitely will go for maria sharapova for she is in a great form and above all the more deserving

  7. Omair Avatar

    Zech – Yup Azarenka is 11-0 and Sharapova is 12-0 in 3 set matches this year. Sharapova had not lost a 3 set match last year as well, before her loss at the hands of Penneta at U.S Open 2011.

    deodave – Thanks a lot for the appreciation 🙂

  8. Marija Avatar
    Marija

    Omair, thanks for correcting me. It’s 11.

  9. Omair Avatar

    Marija – 🙂

  10. Omair Avatar

    and Vika does it.

  11. Wes Avatar
    Wes

    now that Maria is single again I wonder if Mcllroy will hook her up with Tiger.

  12. deodave Avatar
    deodave

    i failed to watch the match live. i was at work and had radio us open on. 🙁 poor maria! but boy did she fight!

    and i knew vika was gonna do that silly dance on her! grrr….

    i just love them both!… im looking forward to seeing more of their rivalry next season.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GET TENNIS NEWS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX

Join our community and receive the latest women's tennis updates every few days—match highlights, player news, and more!
Subscribe
You can unsubscribe anytime. We use Brevo for email marketing. By subscribing, you agree to Brevo's Privacy Policy.
close-link