Azarenka vs Sharapova US Open 2012 Highlights

Highlights from the semifinal match between Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova.

[@jonaskkkkkk]

This tournament showed clearly the current top 3 players in the world. Maria, Vika and Serena.

[@pjz96]

Azarenka is the only player that aggravates Maria. Maria doesn't shout at her box or smack her racket against the court against any other player, even Serena. I think it's because Azarenka is a counterpuncher and forces Maria to be more tactical and strategic, yet she knows she can beat her. It's an actual matchup test for her.

[@StewNWT]

Phaedra Joyce biggest difference I see in their games is that Azarenka absorbs pace much much better than Maria does, hence why she's able to play Serena a lot closer than Maria can. That and Maria at least used to have the 2nd best serve on tour pre-shoulder surgery, unlike Vika who its still her achilles heel

[@Favizzy]

I love the intensity of this match, if they could bring this fight into a Serena match, then it'll be more interesting instead of Serena just acing and destroying all their serves.

[@wozniacki15]

Yes lol!!! 2006 she was deadly, her serve was at it's peak, and she was hitting the ball very crisply, especially after she won the US Open, she dominated the fall indoor season. 2004/2005 she wasn't fully developed yet.

[@laldinthara2399]

Azarenka is simply the best

[@ZuGa1384]

The Banshees' Battle.

[@X-AEA-12]

Thanks for the highlights. This was a great match!

[@egyptian_thoth]

I absolutely loved this match. I have NEVER seen Sharapova so upset during a match. This was a classic b/c you could tell Maria did not want to lose this one.

[@hellojonkuo]

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

[@wozniacki15]

Excellent analysis I have been saying this for the longest!

[@vuzi808]

I love this rivalry. Maria should've obviously won this match. Too bad she couldn't keep her cool as she REALLY wants to avenge her GS loss against Azarenka in Australia. She'll do it next time, no doubt. Hopefully it'll be as epic as this match. Maria has come a looooong way from those 2 beatdowns at hardcourts in Australia and Indian Wells. Victoria was lucky she scraped by this match as Maria imploded before our very eyes.

[@JayJ4721]

Thanks for the highlights, this was a really great match :D It's a shame this wasn't the final :( I'd much rather have these two players in the final than a certain someone else :P

[@Fedthebest75]

I found Sharapova really impressive in 2008 Australian Open. There, she was at her best.

[@vosharap]

I'm going to love this rivalry!!!

[@sidghurdfg]

Also, I respect Vika and have to admit Maria is very error-prone and that has been her struggle ever since her comeback from shoulder surgery. 2012 Stuttgart final and 2012 Istanbul semifinal both show what Maria can do against Vika when she is playing consistently and not rushing to make a winner out of Vika's ball striking.

[@EATeezey]

So happy Vika won this match. The final would not have been half as entertaining if Maria had won. We all know Serena puts that little extra "umph" into playing Maria.

[@oOEncantadaOo]

one of them? Maria is a Legend o.o she completed career grand slam , also won Wimbledon at 17 years old (beating a super legend Serena Williams), US Open at 19 years old (Beating Henin). .. she has 25 years old and still doing tennis... many of those super stars like Hingis, Davenport or Henin didnt complete career grand slam. and now since she did it, she is now on history books

[@wozniacki15]

I have never seen Maria so negative during a match ever, you can tell she really doesn't like Azarenka and doesn't want to lose to her, it shows in her actions.

[@ty0ungos]

Having survived 2 consecutive tough, close matches against Sharapova at the semi-final and Stosur at the quarter-final respectively, Azarenka is emboldened to capture a victory at the final of the 2012 US Open. Her time has come!☆☆☆☆☆

[@parkerwood1772]

This was a GREAT MATCH!!! Good job to both players!

[@alijuratli]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHH AAAAAAAWWWWWWOOOOOO AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AAAAAAAAAWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AAAAAAAAAAWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.................... for who was that point?

[@tthsh]

ugh i really wanted sharapova to win this one even tho i know serena would have beaten her in the finals but credit to azarenka, she now has the daunting task of facing someone who's even better than sharapova in serena!

[@Archihuman]

sharapova is such a beautiful woman, so well constituted

[@MarioBeart]

Yeah, I agree, in fact I said I prefer Azarenka. She is the reason why i re-started play tennis. love her :)

[@bemaxy]

Really great match!

[@ayusefb1]

Maria owes a great deal of gratitude to Vika for beating her in the semis and saving her the utter embarrassment of getting whipped again by Serena...

[@AFCompany]

As much as I love Sharapova and Serena and hate Azarenka, I must say I have never in my life seen a player who no matter how hard you hit the ball at them they are not pushed back. It is amazing how Azarenka has no problem with Maria's pace. Maria literally has to hit the baseline or a side line to get a weak reply from Vika. Even Serena gets pushed back but you literally cannot hit through Azarenka its kinda annoying hahaha. Maria's learned to hit the ball deeper in their more recent matches.

[@SuperIonuts]

the match of the year 2012 !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@romanHederer]

A match of power. A match of effort-full grunts. The start of a rivalry.

[@640A]

the only way to beat Vika is if you have Serena's serve. no one has Serena's serve so there for when Serena retires Vika will dominate the tour. and i think thats a good thing! WHY? because Vika is got all the quality of a Champion. she is tough mentally, she has a solid serve, she has one of the best backhands of all time, great top spin forehand, she takes the ball early and her attitude is absolutely fantastic on the court. when she is on the court she means business, she is ruthless!VIKA

[@wozniacki15]

Agreed!!

[@chapeltibet4551]

The Shrieking Champions. I love 'em both.

[@wozniacki15]

And look at Azarenka position herself on that baseline with Sharapova deep behind the baseline defending......she really knows how to boss Sharapova around when Maria doesn't get that first strike.

[@siffleanimaux1]

Maria playing well would kill Vika as the first set demonstrated. Her level and most importantly confidence dipped greatly as she began hitting myraids of back to back double faults and the pressure of it as well as beating Vika got to her.

[@lukhanyisondevu107]

Sharapova has lived to play the likes of Kuznetsova, Kvitova and Clijsters who also had power and aggression, so I don't understand how power from the other end can be new for her.

[@dachocahiyo3819]

Maria hit the ball so hard, ....OMG...Azarenka love it.

[@640A]

Every match!!!!!

[@Beaulicious100]

azarenka won cause of consistency. sharapova had 44 winners-42 unforced errors while azarenka had 19 winners-19 unforced errors. despite it being 36 62 64 it was actually a really close match. total points was 103-96(azarenka-sharapova). sharapovas unforced errors were on important points which she added even more pressure to herself. she self sabotaged herself. if sharapova kept her errors down, she probably would've won this match.

[@wozniacki15]

Yes I get what you are saying for the second time, but as a single department of power, Sharapova is better than Azarenka. Also, you need to watch more Maria matches because she has awesome control an great placement over her power shots. The reason why she had so many errors here is because Azarenka's consistency forced her to come up with more shots than she could handle.

[@ascendantrocket]

What a match

[@jankovictennis]

I don't see how people think Sharapova is graceful with that noise she makes!

[@collinscouch]

If you close your eyes and just listen it sounds like the mating of two pigeons, amazing! How do they do it?

[@chapeltibet4551]

Wonderful soprano tennis!

[@charlenepitts1]

Hard-fought match between these 2. This is beginning to become a budding rivalry!

[@pasqualeferraro84]

Most competitive match they had so far, shame Sharapova couldn't hold out. Azarenka is really tough on hardcourts

[@Blakmajik78]

Maria lost on purpose because she was NOT trying to see Serena again after that beat down at the Olympics...lol Good match but I liked the Bartoli match better....vs Maria. Maria was a BEAST beck in 2004-2005 seasons.

[@kljMN2]

Vika really had a sensational US Open. I'm sure she'll win this title, maybe next year... I hope Vika and Serena play in the AO final!

[@vuzi808]

wtf? their games are nothing alike. azarenka is an aggressive counterpuncher whose whole game is built around taking the ball extremely early, playing to the open court and finishing points once her opponents are completely out of position. sharapova is a shot-maker, looking to take control of the point from the return and finishing it off quickly with a baseline winner. both of them provide the most entertaining match-up as well as the most voracious rivalry currently on tour.

[@Blakmajik78]

Its not much going on with the WTA now with Serena kickin everyones ass but I will admit I do love it when these two play. Its always a good match and they are soooooo LOUD! I like both of them but I am a little biased towards Sharapova...I loved how she played back in 2004 and 2005.

[@shucham]

Well said mate :-). She changes her screams to confuse opponents.

[@640A]

12:45 i love this point its so entertaining :p. specially that gorgeous inside out backhand from Vika! love it. if only i had that backhand i would have never hit a forehand... ;-)

[@amb817]

They both had some amazing winners, but their shrieking is ridiculous. I had to turn down the volume because I was getting a headache. But on a positive note, I love Maria's dress lol

[@whynot0224]

This was a really good match. I've never, ever, seen Maria so emotional before. She, clearly, didn't want to lose to Victoria Azarenka. She's not as consistent as during her 04-06 days.

[@lacheyrulez]

I LOVE GRUNTING

[@MarioBeart]

I know what u mean about Vika, I can't deny that, but as for the tennis she plays, I really like her. As for Sharapova and her contancy i meant that she never "dominated" a whole tennis season, a year. She was no. 1 many times but for very brief occasions. Of course the shoulder injury stopped her for a long time.

[@640A]

everybody just STOP talking and look at both players court positioning.... look where Maria is standing ....then look where Victoria is standing through out the match. this should explain a lot only if you are interested in knowing why Vika wins against Maria most of the times!

[@jankovictennis]

too true!!

[@kljMN2]

I absolutely loved Vika's dancing at the end while Maria just stormed off court.... ;)

[@wozniacki15]

True, but if you just focus on overall power, and how much a player can generate on their own, Maria has Vika's number, but I understand where you getting at, and yes I love Azarenka's return, she is a very smart returner.

[@640A]

it was a different era that doesn't mean it was a stronger era! the only reason why people say it was a stronger ear is that those other players from the past are legends now! believe me when i say that vika and maria and wozniacki and petra they all will be legends 10 or 15 years from now! williams sister are legends already. being no.1 means being consistent. you can win a lot of GS but if you are not consistent you wont be no.1 for a long time. just like roger GS + consistency is the best!

[@ch5452]

So true, we all saw in Stuttgart that when Maria put the ball in court, Vika can't do much. It was a severe beatdown.

[@AFCompany]

I look forward to them meeting in the YEC I think Sharapova will get her revenge. But I also look forward to Azarenka and Serena in the YEC as I think Vika will get her revenge also.

[@Beaulicious100]

watching the full match live is so much different than these highlights. the highlights obviously dont really show sharapova's many unforced errors that cost her important points. the funny thing is that despite losing this match, the highlights show sharapova winning more of the points. probably because she played better points in this match

[@maynedmaynards]

that's good to hear! she said that routine when she had an interview with some kids from wimbledon.. so cuuute!

[@640A]

Maria isn't used to the power, aggression and intensity that Vika and Serena bring to the party! Against other opponents she's always in control of the points, but against Vika and Serena she isn't in control and thats a bitter pill to swallow for her! So therefore they know how to expose Maria's weakness.... her defense!

[@640A]

Maria's fans should show more RESPECT to Vika! we know they are not best friends on the tour but that doesn't mean Maria's fans should be rude agains Vika!!!! they are both great Champions they both are doing the best they can to win matches and Slams. so may the best one win on that day! lets leave it that way....

[@egyptian_thoth]

Yes, b/c Stuttgart wasn't the last clay court tourney. :) Paris was, so I guess I should have added throughout the "rest" of the claycourt season.

[@Mattslayerable]

Maria is baseline powerhouse

[@640A]

you are totally right! this is how Azarenka wins from pretty much everybody except for Serena, because Serena can overpower everyone! she takes the ball so early and most of her opponents can handle her pass. so there for Maria is over a meter behind the baseline and there she cant hurt Azarenka and is dictating the play all the time! specially on the hard-courts.

[@MarioBeart]

I'm so annoyed by this Sharapovafans and Azarenkafans. They have completely different careers. Sharapova has a longer career but less constant, while Azarenka is the opposite, she has a shorter career (as a top player i mean of course, from 2011-2012) but much more constant. I both respect them as players. As for my personal tennis tasted, Azarenka has my favors, she has greaters defense and net skills than Maria. But I'm happy even with Maria's win (especially the us open 2006). :)

[@wozniacki15]

They are not completely different players. Both of their games are based on taking charge of the points early in the rallies by using their trademark aggression.

[@AnimeHunterRX]

Thank you so much! That is EXACTLY what im trying to tell 640abdalla. :D Wow you just made my day.

[@siffleanimaux1]

Maria broke through and peaked in a much stronger era. She was competing with the Belgians, WS, Mauresmo, Hingis, JCap, Davenport etc. at the peak of her game. Maria actually has 21 weeks at no. 1 but weeks at no. 1 means crap anyway as Wozniacki has well over 60. Venus only has 11, Goolagong 1 etc. And who's to say Vika will translate this form onto 2013 and onwards? And who's to say Kvitova won't get out of her slump and start dominating ala Serena post 1999? Bigger game, better touch etc.

[@wozniacki15]

Great match, the first set was not great, Maria came out firing, but Vichka was so off and nervous. In the second set, Azarenka picked up her play and took it to Maria, and Maria couldn't handle her here. In the final set, Azarenka should have at least won this 6-2 or 6-3, she had so many opportunities on Sharapova's serve, while Maria was making stupid errors off of the returns. I'm glad Azarenka won, and this match proves that one isn't better than the other, they are truly equal.

[@774johan]

this was the us open final!

[@irock2006]

I resent the fact some people say this wasn't a good match due to the power hitting and the lack of tactics. The tactics were the same by each player which was to try and hit a bigger differential in winners to unforced errors. In my opinion this was the best match of the tournament. I watched it and thought it summed up womens tennis perfectly... and if you don't like it you know where to go.

[@TS-lv7nd]

Maria will make unforced errors anyways, regardless of who she is playing. But what makes her different is that it is so hard to tell if she is actually playing with a game plan. Serena is different because she actually plans out her game and on top of having lots of power it just makes her unstoppable. Plus she plays the game of accuracy and low unforced errors but sometimes it doesn't work. Like in Doha.

[@Mr101Flyboy]

Azarenka is just a better player. More defense, more consistency, better angles, better return, and not much separates the two in shotmaking. Maria has the power but that alone isn't enough.

[@lukhanyisondevu7738]

Fair enough. Because you mentioned those three things specifically, it came across as though Sharapova has never faced aggressive, intense and powerful players. The reason why Sharapova has such a bad head to head against the two is multi-faceted and cannot be reduced to three words. What is up with all the exclamation marks?

[@carlobisda]

i must admit, i prefer a more "stylish" tennis but i did enjoy this power bashing by these 2 competitors. :)

[@640A]

if i had to choose two shot in tennis i would choose Federer's Forehand and Vika's Backhand... see 12:55 absolutely sensational!!!

[@shezgill1012]

@heartwolf119 can't u tel from the cud description? Stupid question

[@640A]

I didn't said only power... i said power, aggression and intensity that Vika and Serena bring to the party! Specially the intensity that Vika and Serena have on the court is something that Maria isn't used to from other opponents! Serena and Vika are both great returners, also they take the ball really early! Its a combination of couple things, its not just one thing! There is a reason why she has a bad H2H against these two players! Im just saying!

[@amb817]

This was such a loud match, but they were hitting the hell out of the ball lol

[@PendenqueJohn]

Ha ha exactly and this was so glaring in the third set especially. It's rare to see Maria play THIS far from the base-line so regularly. Victoria's faculty to really take the ball very early and cut the trajectories is really something Maria can not cope with however hard she hits the ball. Maria has to do 500% more than her normal when she plays Vika this is why she ends up overplaying and overdoing everything because she just doesn't feel comfortable against her.

[@naveen4830]

tennis used to be a tactical game .Now it's just power tennis , both players slugging the ball from one side to the other , especially womens tennis.Gone are tha golden days of tennis.

[@Beaulicious100]

for those who said azarenka didn't have much winners cause she mainly forced errors on sharapova, not exactly right. checked the statistics and they actually both have around the same amount of forced errors, the only significant difference was the unforced errors and winners, with sharapova having a lot more in both. the match was more dependent on sharapovas unforced errors in my opinion because she kinda did outplay azarenka this time in a lot of points.

[@kelvinpyaeko]

some of the rallies are amazing. enjoyable match, overall..but someone needs to remind maria that you don't have to hit outright return winners off every 2nd serves.

[@skolaioshea6982]

Sharapova sometimes sounds like some Monster in a horror film xD I love you Maria

[@Caveman25Mr]

oooooh ,i can see that now !i totally understand now ,i thought she was on some other stuff,i like her now:)

[@kljMN2]

These two definitely are not the best of friends, to say the least. However, it really is becoming an intreresting rivalry, in spite of the shrieking.

[@sofj1000]

"Maria is vulnerable to Vika - to her movement and hand speed - and does not hide the fear head to head with Vika. Vika is very confident and comfortable against her now. Vika is very aggressive and knows how to destroy Masha. Also Vika is prettier, and is with better condition!"

[@wozniacki15]

Yes Azarenka was more consistent, but it's mot like she waited on Maria to make errors like a Radwanska or Wozniacki would, she was on the baseline pushing Maria around and forced errors from her, I find that impressive :)!!

[@abercro800]

vika's power? LOL dude have you seen any of their matches? WHAT MAKES VIKA BETTER IS HER MOVEMENT AND WITH THAT SAID, DEFENSE! MARIA CAN OUTHIT HER ANYTIME AND ANY COURT HENCE THE AMOUNT OF WINNERS SHE PRODUCED! just this match alone, maria produced 42 winners to vika's 19, and most recently their semi final match in roland garros where maria bullied vika with 44 winners to vika's only 15!

[@shucham]

You are absolutely right. She even screams when she hits dropshots and she plays only with power and bullying attitude. Her come-ons are really bullies....to the opponents.

[@g0gin0]

too many bitter sharapova fans up in here. both girls played great! No matter how much people analyze this match, vika won this one and played a more solid match towards the end.

[@dariusbrock2351]

Listening to these two is like hearing owls hooting.

[@jackson32]

No kidding, I think most people agree with that sentiment too.

[@PaNdeM0niuM]

Did she win the title ?

[@Fedthebest75]

In fact, Azarenka is more consistent than Sharapova. She does less unforced errors, and that's why she won.