TENNIS: Australian Open - women's final
Jan. 28th, 2012 10:52 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
feather_ghyllI discovered/realised I could have watched the Murray vs. Djokovic semi on iPlayer after knowing the results. Although it sounds like a corker, knowing the eventual winner (and being a little disappointed, although this is why Djokovic is the one to beat) takes away most of my desire to watch it.
However, I have just been watching the women's final live. As I opened up the browser, the headline 'Azarenka crushes Sharapova' came up. I am not that disappointed that it was a drubbing, or certainly the second set, despite what I said in the last post. In fact, I'm rather excited about future Azarenka vs. Kvitova finals.
I found myself rooting for Azarenka, partly because she went down a break - I always feel as if it's nice if everyone can win their first service game unless if I have a very strong favourite, when I do want them to crush their opponent. But the very positive nature of the way she upped her game and refused to go down two breaks was very likeable. She did something similar later when she was 0-30 down. I liked the way Andrew Castle put it, that she decided it was a tennis match that she wanted to win. She quickly discovered that she could win it too.
Overall, this match reminded me of the Wimbledon ladies final, where Kvitova was also better at Sharapova at her own game, and had a little more. Here, Azarenka's superior movement helped her not just counter-punch hard-hitting Sharapova, but do a little more. And just as one was sighing for a little more variety, she showed she had a good net game.
I was wrong about the serve being important, in a way, although the fact that Sharapova's deserted her, rather, was crucial. But Azarenka had more dimensions, and it was good to see her realise the potential that's been talked about for at least two years. Both players made very graceful speeches, and with the number one spot, as well as the championship being played for, it was good stuff. Even if it wasn't a good match as in a competition between the two players, there were some really good points. But, for what it's worth, the noise didn't put me off, which it might have done for other viewers.
However, I have just been watching the women's final live. As I opened up the browser, the headline 'Azarenka crushes Sharapova' came up. I am not that disappointed that it was a drubbing, or certainly the second set, despite what I said in the last post. In fact, I'm rather excited about future Azarenka vs. Kvitova finals.
I found myself rooting for Azarenka, partly because she went down a break - I always feel as if it's nice if everyone can win their first service game unless if I have a very strong favourite, when I do want them to crush their opponent. But the very positive nature of the way she upped her game and refused to go down two breaks was very likeable. She did something similar later when she was 0-30 down. I liked the way Andrew Castle put it, that she decided it was a tennis match that she wanted to win. She quickly discovered that she could win it too.
Overall, this match reminded me of the Wimbledon ladies final, where Kvitova was also better at Sharapova at her own game, and had a little more. Here, Azarenka's superior movement helped her not just counter-punch hard-hitting Sharapova, but do a little more. And just as one was sighing for a little more variety, she showed she had a good net game.
I was wrong about the serve being important, in a way, although the fact that Sharapova's deserted her, rather, was crucial. But Azarenka had more dimensions, and it was good to see her realise the potential that's been talked about for at least two years. Both players made very graceful speeches, and with the number one spot, as well as the championship being played for, it was good stuff. Even if it wasn't a good match as in a competition between the two players, there were some really good points. But, for what it's worth, the noise didn't put me off, which it might have done for other viewers.
