Action replay: Williams v Azarenka

 

Serena Williams v Victoria Azarenka
US Open, Flushing Meadows
9.30pm, SKY

HARD TO LOOK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS

Serena Williams v Victoria Azarenka – it’s a re-run of last year’s final at Flushing Meadows this year – and despite it proving a close three set match last year, Williams is long odds-on to collect a fifth US Open title tonight and a 17th grand slam.

To put that into context, that’s the same number as Roger Federer and (unlike Federer) there are no signs of Serena Williams showing any decline in form with age. In fact, in this year’s tournament, she is playing better than ever.

Azarenka had a massive chance in the final last year when serving for the title but it was Williams who came through 6-2, 2-6 and 7-5.

Williams holds a 12-3 career head to head record but Azarenka’s supporters will take heart from two wins from the last three for ‘Vika’, both of which came on today’s hard court surface:

HEAD TO HEAD RECORD
(last 10 only)
2013 CINCINNATI Cincinnati, USA F HARD Victoria Azarenka 2-6 6-2 7-6 (6)
2013 ROME Rome, ITALY F CLAY Serena Williams 6-1 6-3
2013 DOHA Doha, QATAR F HARD Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (6) 2-6 6-3
2012 WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS ISTANBUL, TURKEY R1 HARD Serena Williams 6-4 6-4
2012 US OPEN FLUSHING MEADOWS, USA F HARD Serena Williams 6-2 2-6 7-5
2012 OLYMPICS LONDON, GREAT BRITAIN S GRASS Serena Williams 6-1 6-2
2012 WIMBLEDON Wimbledon, GREAT BRITAIN S GRASS Serena Williams 6-3 7-6 (6)
2012 MADRID Madrid, SPAIN F CLAY Serena Williams 6-1 6-3
2011 US OPEN US OPEN, USA R32 HARD Serena Williams 6-1 7-6 (5)
2011 TORONTO TORONTO, CANADA S HARD Serena Williams 6-3 6-3

There’s a seven year age gap between the top two players in the world and ordinarily you might want to side with the younger player.

But Serena Williams is anything but ordinary. This tournament she has has lost just 16 games in six matches, and has won three of her last four sets to love.

Predictable – but a straight sets win for Williams tonight.

STAR FORECAST
(stake between 0.5 and 10 points)
10 points win SERENA WILLIAMS to win 2-0