Australian Open 2023 SF: Victoria Azarenka vs. Elena Rybakina

[tented]

Who wins?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Shame this match is not the final,
Rybakina kind of lost her way after winning Wimbledon in 2022, she has reminded us at the AO, how good a player she is., especially on a HC. Her serve at times is un returnable a major weapon, she backs that up with her fhand, the one thing I feel she needs to do is play more doubles, that will help with her volley play and her transition game to the net.

Azarenka is one of the best returners on the tour, and she will have to have her return game 'on' when she plays Rybakina. In her QF match it was like turning back time, Vintage Vika appeared, she played brilliantly, she will have to play like that if she has a chance to defeat Rybakina.

Rybakina in 3 sets. ( I would not be surprised if Azarenka wins btw)

 

[the AntiPusher]

Who was the big chick with the blue window curtain for a dress that interviewed Rybakina afterwards her match vs Ostanpenka? Is that Dokic?

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Who was the big chick with the blue window curtain for a dress that interviewed Rybakina afterwards her match vs Ostanpenka? Is that Dokic?

Yes BTW I have answered your question about PR on Rafa's Fan post

 

[tented]

Azarenka in 3. Damn, now I’ve doomed her.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Azarenka in 3. Damn, now I’ve doomed her.

I don't know what it is but it's something about Vika that not someone I root for. I don't dislike. @tossip knows what I mean

 

[kskate2]

I'm glad Vika has gotten back to the SF, but this girl is the last person she wants to see. She will punish Aza serve. The Wimby champ in 2 tight sets.

 

[Moxie]

Azarenka in 3. Damn, now I’ve doomed her.

I picked same, even before I read this. I really want her to win. And I hope we haven't "doomed" her.

 

[Moxie]

I don't know what it is but it's something about Vika that not someone I root for. I don't dislike. @tossip knows what I mean

Don't like, or don't dislike? I like her. She won me over when I saw her at an exhibition at MSG years back v. Serena. She plays hard, and has a good head. Plus, she's fun. She eschews tennis dresses for shorts. She had to fight hard to get back after becoming a mother, and the custody issues. I hope she wins it all.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Elena won the toss and of course elected to serve

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vika has to keep her 1st serve percentage up or else she will be in trouble, her 2nd serve is vunerable
Vika can expose the movement of Elena, but she has to do this all match

 

[kskate2]

First blood to Vika. She breaks for 3-2

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Great exchange at the net by both players, Vika comes out on top and breaks Elena
As I previously mentioned this is an area that Elena needs to work on, her tranistion to the net and her volley play, playing more doubles is the way to go

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Viaka 1st serve is soo important in this game? Elena breaks back

 

[kskate2]

Vika pulling an Osta and challenging the electronic line calling...

Back on serve. 3-3

 

[kskate2]

Great exchange at the net by both players, Vika comes out on top and breaks Elena
As I previously mentioned this is an area that Elena needs to work on, her tranistion to the net and her volley play, playing more doubles is the way to go

She'll get there. At least she knows it's a weakness and wants to get better so she's playing doubs.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Great response from Elena with a love service game

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vika pulling an Osta and challenging the electronic line calling...

Back on serve. 3-3

I would have challenge that call as well

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

She'll get there. At least she knows it's a weakness and wants to get better so she's playing doubs.

Her movement can also be exposed, and Vika is a player that can do that

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Vika please do not keep hitting into Elena's strike zone....thanks