This was when Azarenka was near her best. Her strokes here are so solid and smooth and she makes clean contact with the ball almost every time. When she was at the top she was definitely one of the most complete players in the game with power, touch, and exceptional movement. No doubt, one of the best ball strikers women's tennis has seen.
I appreciate Azarenka's rise to the top of the game because she improved things and came into 2012 a better player. She is hitting great angles from both wings, has her temper under control, and returns serve better than ever. It's not like Schiavone or Stosur who haven't changed a thing and won a major because of the state of the women's game.
Interesting match, I think that Azarenka is more or less the new Clijsters, similar styles, both great on hard courts, can give Serena some trouble etc.
I remember watching this match and being a little bit disappointed in Clijsters. I feel like at this point in her career, her intensity level wasn't consistently where it needed to be. She and Azarenka had pretty similar playing styles, but I felt that Clijsters physically did everything a little bit better (serve, movement, power on groundstrokes) but Azarenka seemed more focused and intense.
Azarenka produces a lot of her own power. everyone redirects the ball sometimes and hits harder if you're hitting against another power player, but she definitely takes a bigger cut and hits harder than a lot of the girls. you can really see it in the highlights where she is playing doubles with maria kirilenko.
Vika hit so well this entire tourney! :) so glad she's having a stellar 2012 and I hope che continues in the same way for the whole season and years to come!
I agree. The bottom line is that if a player believes that an injury will compromise their play so much that they won't play as well usually they'll withdraw or retire midway through, and if they don't, they can't complain about the injury later.
Azarenka played aggressive the entire match even in the 2nd set. She was very defensive as well. In the 2nd set even though azarenka played amazing clijsters found some form. In the final set azarenka was just too strong great match :)
@timtim745tim shes played serena before, ive never seen her play serena in a slam where she didnt make serena play her best tennis, azarenka's strokes have alot to do with using her opponesnts pace against them, if the ball comes hard and she is there, she redirects it back using their pace and it goes racing by!
Love both women and think this was a turning point for both. For Vika, she kept her emotions in check, even after the 2nd set, which she wouldn't have done last year; it would've certainly helped her against Barthel in IW. For Kim, though a great tournament in terms of (lack of) match practice and the injuries I think it might just have put out her competitive fire for the future. She played great but needs to be mentally there throughout. I hope I'm wrong and she at least plays the big events.
THIS Azarenka needs to come back,aggression And defense. Azarenka should watch this match to remind herself and try to get a this level back- I know due to injuries she hasn't been able to be this fit but that is her next step in order to be a force again in tennis.
jmnny85 she has the mentality but her body and conditioning needs to agree with needs to slim down again, her game is so dependent on her quick so she needs to regain that back again.
this was kim's queue to leave she won he last 2 slams on a week field. Serena was out of the game and Venus test her 2010 US Open (that disease is such an hinderance). Azerenka came a helped restore order as well as Serena's come back.
I agree with you, but she does redirect alot more than most of the other champions, sending the ball back to them even faster, but she is def not a pusher.
Not putting her down or anything but is it just me or has Azarenka put on a bit of weight since 2012? If you watch her at 2014 AO, she looks a bit bigger but that might just be because of the clothes?
I'm a huge Vika fan but actually you're right. She got more weight with gym, training for power and resistence, but honestly I think she lost lots of mobility. I think she should return like at the end of 2012.
MarioBeart no, I think she gained weight from not training enough, and illness, after US Open 2013 her Asian swing season was done due to illness. Vika suffered from a foot injury, and that can hamper your movement.
LOL...I guess I'm supposed to argue with u b/c u mentioned Serena. Where did her name come from anyway seeing that she wasn't mentioned in my comment...haha. Keep it moving
I never mentioned anything about 'aussie kim'. I just said the crowd wanted her to win. Just because im from Australia doesn't mean she is mine as an australian. I dont care about that. I'm not referencing anything about my country on her.
Kim jugo mal de su tobillo derecho, si no Azarenka no hubiera tenifo opcion con Clisjters, imaginense Kim podia soportar el ritmo de Serena en sus mejores momentos, no hiba hacerlo con Victoria, si se dan cuenta se movía con mucha dificultad...!
I cant stand when people do that...if serena can win while being hurt why cant clijsters? these two played high quality tennis vika won fair and square...
She is not your Aussie Kim. Just because she was engaged to Lleyton long ago doesn't mean she is your fellow Aussie! Her hubby is American, take that!!
To be fair, court coverage and speed are a huge part of Clijster's game whereas Serena can rely on the power given to her by steroids. Lots of steroids.
I am waiting to see Azarenka vs fully strong "A Grade" Serena in some hard court or grass court...let us see how she wud handle Serena power...Wzniaki showed her class against Serena at US Open Semis 2011...let us see wht happens and Victoria's response to Serenas power...how she wud define her being a no 1...
@suziethecat basically you're a bitter person who hates azarenka. no her reign is not short lived. it has been 45 weeks and counting. that is longer than the likes of venus williams, ana ivanovic, and dinara safina. she is not monotonous, she volleys well - she's won 2 Mixed doubles grand slams and an olympic gold medal in mixed doubles - she hits the bard hard, she has touch, she has good movement. don't insult her when she's got lots to her game and is a better no. 1 than jankovic, woz etc.
I remember Oracene Price used the word dubious to describe Clijsters on twitter last year too. Kim does seem a bit fake. I also recall Oracene said don't look at Clijsters in the eye she's like Medusa.
@timtim745tim Well I dont think wozniacki did well at all against serena. She make like two or three winners only the whole match and was winning points mostly from serena's own unforced errors. I'm not sure whether Azarenka is better then serena when she's fully fit but if to compare serena 10 years ago and azarenka these days I would definitely pick Serena. However I still think Azarenka is improving and I think she's better then Kvitova. I think she would be the best Serena's replacement.
I cannot stand Kim Clijsters...she has gotten away with murder over the years. She could pull out of tournaments and NO ONE called her out. She could accuse ppl of doping and NO ONE called her out. She seems like a nice person, but a very dubious person also. So happy when she retires.
This match lowered my opinion of Azarenka. The reactions to "winning" points where Kim hit easy errors was disgusting. One where she was standing flat footed, given up on the point when kims backhand clipped the net and went wide she crouched down screaming cmon. The other a drop shot netted when it was questionable if she would get there, she was running forward with her fist raised high in the air. I realise it means a lot to her, but show some respect.
I will miss you Kim. You will always be better than these modern girls. Now that Kim is gone there is only the Williams, the only other women that resemble the old era. Once they retire I'm not gonna watch womens tennis.
But Azarenka doesn't have a great serve and I think that's what is going to hold her back from dominating. You need a big serve to dominate women's tennis and Azarenka doesn't have that.
Kim is imo much more talented than Azarenka. Too bad she had to lose there and let this girl win a slam. Kim was clearly NOT at her best there. hopefully in 2013 it will be more competitive, dont want azarenka to win again
Clijsters not in her level in this match, she was smart about change much defence in 2 set. And she wanna over this quickly, so she change to offense again. This choice make her lose this match.
Ummm...Serena wasn't even in the discussion, nor is she even in this video so what was your point in singling her out...so like I said...keep it moving troll b/c you have no point.
Honestly, ironically its not true...lets look at those who have beaten serena this year...makarova, wozniacki , kerber, rezzanno ? None of those players have proven to be "great after beating her" ...so you can still be great if you don't beat serena xD
Venus is a all time great, to compare her to that of Azarenka is insulting to Venus. She is vrey monotonous, she doesn't hit the ball hard, she gives the illusion of hitting the ball hard, by how early she takes the ball. Better than Jankovic? Yeah right, you're doing too much, please stop.
Don't worry my friend, you're so vile that you've become unforgettable. I understand not liking certain players but why the need to be that mean to someone you don't even know personally?
This was when Azarenka was near her best. Her strokes here are so solid and smooth and she makes clean contact with the ball almost every time. When she was at the top she was definitely one of the most complete players in the game with power, touch, and exceptional movement. No doubt, one of the best ball strikers women's tennis has seen.
I really admire her game. It pains me she didn't get this form back after her pregnancy
Kim clijsters sick ?
After vs li na
I appreciate Azarenka's rise to the top of the game because she improved things and came into 2012 a better player. She is hitting great angles from both wings, has her temper under control, and returns serve better than ever. It's not like Schiavone or Stosur who haven't changed a thing and won a major because of the state of the women's game.
Clijsters always so gracious in defeat, a true class act!
The shots Azarenka make here was amazing. Some really heavy top spin, beautiful slice & drop shots.
The way Victoria hits that ball on the rise is beautiful, it gives her amazing depth on her shots.
i agree, i miss Kim. What a great girl and a great player. Thank god Serena's still there.
Kim sick after li na
It was like Kim was playing her screaming doppelganger! Very underrated match!
Interesting match, I think that Azarenka is more or less the new Clijsters, similar styles, both great on hard courts, can give Serena some trouble etc.
I remember what a tough section this was. Three of last years semifinalists were in one quarter.
This was the real final and Azarenka proved a lot by winning this match. I honestly thought Clijsters would come through in this one.
Excellent tennis played in this match. World Class!
I remember watching this match and being a little bit disappointed in Clijsters. I feel like at this point in her career, her intensity level wasn't consistently where it needed to be. She and Azarenka had pretty similar playing styles, but I felt that Clijsters physically did everything a little bit better (serve, movement, power on groundstrokes) but Azarenka seemed more focused and intense.
@suziethecat i disagree. look at her match in the US Open final. she's closer than the likes of sharapova to beating serena.
Clijsters and her beautiful tennis, she's got it all and she is just so classy, more ppl like her on tour please!!!
But She under estimate Victoria epically in 1st Set.
Johnason Chong she didn't, she already lost to vika in 2011.
fabulous you upload quality is fantastic, thank you you are genius xxx, love your work.
Azarenka produces a lot of her own power. everyone redirects the ball sometimes and hits harder if you're hitting against another power player, but she definitely takes a bigger cut and hits harder than a lot of the girls. you can really see it in the highlights where she is playing doubles with maria kirilenko.
Vika hit so well this entire tourney! :) so glad she's having a stellar 2012 and I hope che continues in the same way for the whole season and years to come!
juST realised how great azarenka is. she is a quality tennis player, rarely makes errors. good on her.
I agree. The bottom line is that if a player believes that an injury will compromise their play so much that they won't play as well usually they'll withdraw or retire midway through, and if they don't, they can't complain about the injury later.
I always thought of Kim as the female counterpart of Djokovic in terms of movement, defense and flexibility.
Azarenka played aggressive the entire match even in the 2nd set. She was very defensive as well. In the 2nd set even though azarenka played amazing clijsters found some form. In the final set azarenka was just too strong great match :)
the poise and upper body control by kim here is by far the best in the women's tennis history.
This is a fantastic Azarenka, so much more interesting to watch and cool attitude now she is a DIVA
And to think that Caroline Wozniacki was the NUMBER 1 seed here :O !
Clijesters is really worth watching. i love her flexibility. too bad she retired at 29.
I love you Azarenka! ♥
do you have a video higlights between Kim Cljisters and Li Na ?:)AO12
@timtim745tim shes played serena before, ive never seen her play serena in a slam where she didnt make serena play her best tennis, azarenka's strokes have alot to do with using her opponesnts pace against them, if the ball comes hard and she is there, she redirects it back using their pace and it goes racing by!
love the plane`s sound :D It sonds like more powerful shot from vika and kim :D
Love both women and think this was a turning point for both. For Vika, she kept her emotions in check, even after the 2nd set, which she wouldn't have done last year; it would've certainly helped her against Barthel in IW.
For Kim, though a great tournament in terms of (lack of) match practice and the injuries I think it might just have put out her competitive fire for the future. She played great but needs to be mentally there throughout. I hope I'm wrong and she at least plays the big events.
THIS Azarenka needs to come back,aggression And defense. Azarenka should watch this match to remind herself and try to get a this level back- I know due to injuries she hasn't been able to be this fit but that is her next step in order to be a force again in tennis.
jmnny85 she has the mentality but her body and conditioning needs to agree with needs to slim down again, her game is so dependent on her quick so she needs to regain that back again.
Bryguy Bry she is serving a lot better but she will never win another grandslam unless the gets over that mental hurdle of trying to beat Serena.
this was kim's queue to leave she won he last 2 slams on a week field. Serena was out of the game and Venus test her 2010 US Open (that disease is such an hinderance). Azerenka came a helped restore order as well as Serena's come back.
After this match, Azarenka took over Clijsters' title of hardcourt Queen.
I agree though, if you're on the court and you finish the match you are well enough to play.
I agree with you, but she does redirect alot more than most of the other champions, sending the ball back to them even faster, but she is def not a pusher.
As of 2012, she is the hardcourt queen.
vika will be great she is young and i see her have 5-10 slams by the end of her career, surpassing kim and maria
Not putting her down or anything but is it just me or has Azarenka put on a bit of weight since 2012? If you watch her at 2014 AO, she looks a bit bigger but that might just be because of the clothes?
I'm a huge Vika fan but actually you're right. She got more weight with gym, training for power and resistence, but honestly I think she lost lots of mobility. I think she should return like at the end of 2012.
MarioBeart no, I think she gained weight from not training enough, and illness, after US Open 2013 her Asian swing season was done due to illness.
Vika suffered from a foot injury, and that can hamper your movement.
who cares if you don't like kim,for us she's truly a lovable person!!!!!!!!!!!
thaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks !!
Kim... Kim... Kim... One mental lapse too many cost you the title. Congrats to Azarenka though, one of the few promising players along with Kvitova.
what a day that was 4 women's tennis this one and then sharapova vs kvitova
The crowd wanted Clijsters to win!
Li Na played Azarenka this year, Clijsters last year
azarenka deserve to no 1 b/c her fore/backhand r so good, especially she moves quicker and better than Sharapova and Kvitova
That's a stupid comment given the fact Azarenka only has ONE handcourt grand slam title and Clijsters has four slam titles on hardcourts.
they played AO 2012 fourthrnd..
LOL...I guess I'm supposed to argue with u b/c u mentioned Serena. Where did her name come from anyway seeing that she wasn't mentioned in my comment...haha. Keep it moving
Everybody loves Kim !
why azareka saying allez
Not at all, Li played Clijsters in 2011 (Final) and 2012 (R16) twice...
I agree Azarenka is a version of Agassi too...but she doesn't have the foot speed of him or a Clijsters
I never mentioned anything about 'aussie kim'. I just said the crowd wanted her to win. Just because im from Australia doesn't mean she is mine as an australian. I dont care about that. I'm not referencing anything about my country on her.
responses from KIMMMM
being at that match those jets were so loud just incredible.... no doubt which player the crowd were going for bhahahaha
Kim jugo mal de su tobillo derecho, si no Azarenka no hubiera tenifo opcion con Clisjters, imaginense Kim podia soportar el ritmo de Serena en sus mejores momentos, no hiba hacerlo con Victoria, si se dan cuenta se movía con mucha dificultad...!
I cant stand when people do that...if serena can win while being hurt why cant clijsters? these two played high quality tennis vika won fair and square...
She is not your Aussie Kim. Just because she was engaged to Lleyton long ago doesn't mean she is your fellow Aussie! Her hubby is American, take that!!
great match! Injured or not, Clijsters could have won this match, but Vika just played the better match, plain and simple
...they always do.
To be fair, court coverage and speed are a huge part of Clijster's game whereas Serena can rely on the power given to her by steroids. Lots of steroids.
I am waiting to see Azarenka vs fully strong "A Grade" Serena in some hard court or grass court...let us see how she wud handle Serena power...Wzniaki showed her class against Serena at US Open Semis 2011...let us see wht happens and Victoria's response to Serenas power...how she wud define her being a no 1...
@suziethecat basically you're a bitter person who hates azarenka. no her reign is not short lived. it has been 45 weeks and counting. that is longer than the likes of venus williams, ana ivanovic, and dinara safina. she is not monotonous, she volleys well - she's won 2 Mixed doubles grand slams and an olympic gold medal in mixed doubles - she hits the bard hard, she has touch, she has good movement. don't insult her when she's got lots to her game and is a better no. 1 than jankovic, woz etc.
Because she can
Bye bye Medusa I meant Kim hahahaha
No body loves the Current #1 Player !!!
I remember Oracene Price used the word dubious to describe Clijsters on twitter last year too. Kim does seem a bit fake. I also recall Oracene said don't look at Clijsters in the eye she's like Medusa.
Clijsters would have won this had she not hurt her ankle in her previous match. but good effort from her and congrats to Vika nonetheless
@timtim745tim Well I dont think wozniacki did well at all against serena. She make like two or three winners only the whole match and was winning points mostly from serena's own unforced errors. I'm not sure whether Azarenka is better then serena when she's fully fit but if to compare serena 10 years ago and azarenka these days I would definitely pick Serena. However I still think Azarenka is improving and I think she's better then Kvitova. I think she would be the best Serena's replacement.
Clijsters had an injured ankle.
I cannot stand Kim Clijsters...she has gotten away with murder over the years. She could pull out of tournaments and NO ONE called her out. She could accuse ppl of doping and NO ONE called her out. She seems like a nice person, but a very dubious person also. So happy when she retires.
Out of interest, why is this directed at me?
Wow someone is seriously pressed and hating hard right now...
Not me, not people around me. We are glad she will be retired.....forever!!
This match lowered my opinion of Azarenka. The reactions to "winning" points where Kim hit easy errors was disgusting. One where she was standing flat footed, given up on the point when kims backhand clipped the net and went wide she crouched down screaming cmon. The other a drop shot netted when it was questionable if she would get there, she was running forward with her fist raised high in the air. I realise it means a lot to her, but show some respect.
TRUTH
And me too :(
@chrisak49 someone doesn't like kim at all haha xD.
i like vika
5-10 slams? Oh please. She'll have between 1-5 slams
I will miss you Kim. You will always be better than these modern girls. Now that Kim is gone there is only the Williams, the only other women that resemble the old era. Once they retire I'm not gonna watch womens tennis.
I like Victoria and how she's improved as a player and her attitude, but I still can't stand her shrieking lol
I hope Vika gets her mojo back for Wimbledon. I can't stand Sharapova.
But Azarenka doesn't have a great serve and I think that's what is going to hold her back from dominating. You need a big serve to dominate women's tennis and Azarenka doesn't have that.
Clijsters is the female version of Aggasi
Kim is imo much more talented than Azarenka. Too bad she had to lose there and let this girl win a slam. Kim was clearly NOT at her best there. hopefully in 2013 it will be more competitive, dont want azarenka to win again
Clijsters not in her level in this match, she was smart about change much defence in 2 set. And she wanna over this quickly, so she change to offense again. This choice make her lose this match.
Ummm...Serena wasn't even in the discussion, nor is she even in this video so what was your point in singling her out...so like I said...keep it moving troll b/c you have no point.
I think Azarenka definitely is more aggressive than Wozniacki but I don't like the screaming it is so damn annoying.
Honestly, ironically its not true...lets look at those who have beaten serena this year...makarova, wozniacki , kerber, rezzanno ? None of those players have proven to be "great after beating her" ...so you can still be great if you don't beat serena xD
iam go to restroom again !!!
I love how u snatched some dates together to create a random "golden era" LMFAO. WTH?
Venus is a all time great, to compare her to that of Azarenka is insulting to Venus. She is vrey monotonous, she doesn't hit the ball hard, she gives the illusion of hitting the ball hard, by how early she takes the ball. Better than Jankovic? Yeah right, you're doing too much, please stop.
Kim should've won this match...
But she won again....Too bad for you.
Great? Lol Stop please. She's a counter puncher, she not supposed to make a lot of errors. Lol
this reads "frustrated random asshole on the internet spilling useless comments"
Fuck off CLIJSTERS we dont want you :@
world wide web - global cummunication, but unfortunately we have to deal with the losers too :p
Don't worry my friend, you're so vile that you've become unforgettable. I understand not liking certain players but why the need to be that mean to someone you don't even know personally?