Brisbane International 2014

[Hoergren]

If you're not watching the last quarterfinal Vika against Voegele - you should. Voegele just survived 8 matchpoints and won 2nd set in a spectacular manner. Great match. Saved 9 matchpoints before she had to surrender. Had 3 breakpoints in Vikas opening game in 3rd set but couldn't convert it and Voegele slowly faded away. But Voegele is not far away from great results. Good match and congrats to Vika that she kept cool. Vika won 64 67 61

Results from the quarters see page 4

 

[rugged]

Serena didnt lose a point on her serve in the first set against Domi...

Yes, quite impressive. Can't wait to see what she does tonight. 11 aces in her first match an 12 in the second. Let us see if she stays in that ballpark. I think she can do better. :clap

 

[Hoergren]

Order of play Friday, January 03, 2014

Pat Rafter Arena
15:30 [4] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) V [2] Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 61 36 46
20:30 [1] Serena Williams (USA) V [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS) 62 76

Show Court 1
11:30 Kristina Mladenovic / Galina Voskoboeva (FRA / KAZ) V Mandy Minella / Chanelle Scheepers (LUX / RSA) 63 64

PS. A little off-topic but follow the link and you'll see some nice pictures of Wozzilroy and a really nice article:

Wozzilroy in Sydney

 

[my sherona]

Looks as though one of the "kitchen sink" players (Lisicki) had to withdraw.

Boom Boom is playing it smart, she wants the big one, she knows the winner here will not win the big one!

Masha struggled with Kaia, Kanepi was playing smart today! She knew she couldn't outgun Masha.

Serena is almost done with Lil' Domi. We Know who she will play next!

I have a feeling there will be more withdrawals!

sorry to rain your party but fluke win # 14 is not coming.

 

[Sundaymorningguy]

Well if I recall from last year at this time, Serena's serve really didn't start connecting for her until the second or third round of Australia, so this is good for her that she got it to start a bit earlier and get it going. Now if she can get her return game a bit tighter, she will be golden.

 

[10isfan]

I am hoping for a Serena vs Vika final, but JJ might upset.

Can someone post the reason for JJ's resurgence? What was lacking the last few years that is now back in her game?

 

[Calvy]

Looks as though one of the "kitchen sink" players (Lisicki) had to withdraw.

Boom Boom is playing it smart, she wants the big one, she knows the winner here will not win the big one!

HUH??? That's a ridiculous statement you made.

Eight of the last eleven winners of the Aussie Open are still in this tournament, meaning they know how to win the big one.

Boom Boom may want the big one, but, she needs to get past the 4th round of a slam other than Wimbledon.

Calvy, you think highly of Serena, which is OK, she is #1
Don't down-grade the rest of the tour because of Serena, she is vulnerable!
Boom Boom showed us in the biggest stage....who would have thought Serena would be out-gunned in Wimbledon?

BTW, this one has been played for 5 years and no one has ever won Brisbane and Aussie Open.

I didn't mention anything about Serena. I stated 8 of the last 11 winners of the Aussie Open are still in this tourney in response to ur stating specifically that whomever wins this tourney isn't going to win the AO, and implying that Sabine purposely withdrew because she knew the recent history of the winner of Brisbane not winning AO.

That makes no sense on ur part.

Second I didn't "down-grade" any player, fact is Sabine has been ineffective in any tourney outside of Wimbledon.

As far as her "outgunning" Serena at Wimbledon, don't forget, Jill Craybas also once "outgunned" Serena at Wimby.

It happens.

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Order of play Friday, January 03, 2014

Pat Rafter Arena
15:30 [4] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) V [2] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
20:30 [1] Serena Williams (USA) V [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS)

Pick time!

JJ over Vika in 3
Serena over Masha in 2

 

[Hoergren]

Pat Rafter Arena
15:30 [4] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) V [2] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
20:30 [1] Serena Williams (USA) V [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS)

I think Vika got a wake up call today so Vika in 3, but JJ seems to be back - interesting
Serena in 2 because Maria is not consistent enough at this moment and she has to be if she want to win. Too many unforced errors and a - for the moment - weak 1st serve. And rusty Serena has got new layer corosion fluid over her muscles so she's more than ready to eat a sugapova.

 

[Moriarty]

Strange match with Azarenka (who was playing rather well until that moment) totally losing the plot and squandering all those MP in the second set. I am hoping though that she'll have learnt her lesson well and that she'll be more focused tomorrow to beat JJ.

 

[Calvy]

I totally forgot about the grudge factor due to the comments by Maria regarding Serena at Wimbledon last year and her subsequent affirmation that she stand by what she voiced last summer.

This might not be a pretty match if Serena goes in their with a bone to pick.

 

[Moxie]

Pat Rafter Arena
15:30 [4] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) V [2] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
20:30 [1] Serena Williams (USA) V [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS)

I think Vika got a wake up call today so Vika in 3, but JJ seems to be back - interesting
Serena in 2 because Maria is not consistent enough at this moment and she has to be if she want to win. Too many unforced errors and a - for the moment - weak 1st serve. And rusty Serena has got new layer corosion fluid over her muscles so she's more than ready to eat a sugapova.

Really intriguing matches tomorrow. Pretty tasty for this early in the year.

 

[Moxie]

Order of play Friday, January 03, 2014

Pat Rafter Arena
15:30 [4] Jelena Jankovic (SRB) V [2] Victoria Azarenka (BLR)
20:30 [1] Serena Williams (USA) V [3] Maria Sharapova (RUS)

Pick time!

JJ over Vika in 3
Serena over Masha in 2

I like the pick of JJ over Azarenka, Kiu. Happy to see her playing great tennis again. That could be a great match.

 

[Hoergren]

Hope you're watching Vika vs JJ - 4 games and 3 breaks already - it seems to be great fight - IF Vika wakes up. Her first serve has gone for the moment and it continued for therest of first set - 61 to Jankovic - and now JJ repeats the playwise of Vika and is behind 14 in 2nd set - how will 3rd set beuzzled - if there'll be a 32rd set - JJ back on serve! 3rd set it is. Some spectacular shot from Vika to get through, and the dramaqueen is muttering with someone in the audience - so drama is scheduled for 3rd set Drama it is and who is the spot for JJ's muttering a substitute coach for her brother this week - poor man. The only thing wrong is a mental collapse - but fun to watch (if I may say so). Then a right in a hawkeye decision and a smile and then 3 winning games in a row! 45 Vika to serve - fun! Vika pulls through, but nice to see JJ only has herself to blame for her loss - her gameplay WHEN she's positive is on a really high level.

PS. WTF - erhm - no comprendo mate - guess it's not Wildlife Trust Fond beuzzled

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Hope you're watching Vika vs JJ - 4 games and 3 breaks already - it seems to be great fight - IF Vika wakes up. Her first serve has gone for the moment

Typical WTF match even at the SF level.

 

[10isfan]

Vika into the final. I hope Serena makes it also. This could be the championship match at AO unless Li steps up.

 

[Goldenboy]

Amazing return games from Serena. Sharapova has no time to react after she serves. Not too many DF yet, but regardless she is being destroyed.

6-2 first set to Serena.

 

[Front242]

Yeah, Sharapova started well and has generally played pretty well but still lost 6-2.

 

[Front242]

Serena's BH DTL has been outstanding today so far.

 

[Front242]

Serena's serve on the other hand has been poor so far.