Training Day: Vika Azarenka

Azarenka Video Rating: four / 5[/random]

SCHIAVONE MISSES OUT

Francesca Schiavone has been defeated by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the fourth round of the French Open. Azarenka won the match in the straight sets by 6-3, 6-0.

There was big difference in the world rankings of these two players; still, it was supposed to be a tight game because of the massive experience of Schiavone. But, the craftiness of the Italian player didn’t prove to be good enough against the power game of Azarenka.

The Belarusian superstar who has been given the third seed in this tournament just blew her opponent away in both the sets.

This win took Azarenka into the quarter final round of the competition.

In the first set, the first two games went with the serve and the scorecard was showing 1-1 when the 2nd game ended. A breakthrough for Azarenka in the 3rd game gave her a lead of 2-1, but, Schiavone broke back immediately to level the scores.

Azarenka broke her opponent’s serve for the second consecutive time in the 5th game, but, yet again, she got broken back which kept the scores levelled at 3-3.

Schiavone continued serving poorly and dropped her serve again in the 7th game. This time, Azarenka managed to consolidate that serve break with a serve hold in the 8th game to take a lead of 5-3.

With another breakthrough in the 9th game, the Belarusian player sealed the opener by 6-3.

In the second set, Azarenka looked in a hurry. She smashed a flurry of winners and wiped out the first 6 games in no time to finish off the match.

In the quarter final round, Azarenka will take on the Russian player Maria Kirilenko who made her way into the final 8 by defeating Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

Tennis Ambassador Speaks Out On Victoria Azarenka’s controversial “medical timeout”

Azarenka Video clip Score: five / 5[/random]

Maria Sharapova vs Victoria Azarenka 2012 Stuttgart Highlights

Azarenka Video clip Ranking: four / 5[/random]

OLYMPICS MEANS MORE

Victoria Azarenka has said that winning a medal in the Olympics is more important to her than being the no. 1 player in the world.

Azarenka had won the Gold medal in the mixed doubles competition of London Olympics. Her partner in that event was Max Mirnyi. The Belarusian pair had defeated the British pair of Laura Robson and Andy Murray by 2-6, 6-3, 10-8.

That was not the only medal won by Azarenka in London Olympics. She had won the Bronze medal in the singles competition as well.

When asked what is more important to her- being at the top of the world rankings or winning an Olympic medal, Azarenka said, “Off course, it’s the Olympic medal. The value of an Olympic medal is immense. It can’t be compared to anything else, not even the no. 1 ranking in the world.”

“In the Olympics, you play for your country and that’s the biggest thing for a sportsperson. Winning something for nation is what all sportspersons dream about.”

“When I was a child, I also used to dream about winning an Olympic medal and finally, when I got one last year, I got emotional. It was really the happiest moment that I have ever had in my career.”

“The no. 1 ranking in the world is only an indication of how you are playing at the moment. If you win matches consistently, you will get there. Similarly, if you have bad run in some tournaments, you will go down. So, it’s something which is always changing.”

Azarenka’s current world ranking is 3. She has had tremendous time this year. She is yet to suffer a defeat this season.

Azarenka has been out of action since the last few weeks because of her ankle injury. But, she is expected to be back for the upcoming clay court tournament in Stuttgart.

Victoria Azarenka Press Conference – Australian Open 2013

Azarenka Video clip Score: 3 / five[/random]