Novak Djokovic has advanced to his sixth Australian Open final after beating Roger Federer 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 in their semifinal at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night.
source:http://www.ausopen.com/
Thursday, January 28, 2016
Novak downs Roger to make final.
source:http://www.ausopen.com/
Kerber ends Konta's fairytale to reach maiden final.
Germany's No.7 seed proves too strong for unseeded Brit Johanna Konta, setting up a final clash with Serena Williams.
Angelique Kerber will face No.1 seed and defending champion Serena Williams in her first major final, having ended the fairytale run of unseeded Brit Johanna Konta, 7-5 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena.
Kerber proved too steady from the baseline, committing just 11 unforced errors to Konta's 36 during the clash that lasted one hour and 22 minutes.
The German No.7 seed's relief and joy was palpable after she closed out the match but she must now prepare for the daunting task of unseating the reigning champion, who was ruthless in beating No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 6-4 in the earlier semifinal.
Angelique Kerber will face No.1 seed and defending champion Serena Williams in her first major final, having ended the fairytale run of unseeded Brit Johanna Konta, 7-5 6-2 at Rod Laver Arena.
Kerber proved too steady from the baseline, committing just 11 unforced errors to Konta's 36 during the clash that lasted one hour and 22 minutes.
The German No.7 seed's relief and joy was palpable after she closed out the match but she must now prepare for the daunting task of unseating the reigning champion, who was ruthless in beating No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 6-4 in the earlier semifinal.
Kerber blasts past Azarenka
Germany's No.7 seed overpowers the in-form Belarusian to book her first Australian Open semifinal.
Seemingly out of nowhere, Kerber set the scene early, cracking a couple of blistering forehands past her opponent on the way to a 4-0 lead. Azarenka was clearly a little shell-shocked, offering up two meek double faults, and as Kerber again threatened her on serve, the first set looked all but over.
To her credit, Azarenka began a spirited fightback, getting herself on the scoreboard and steadying the match, as both players traded blows from the baseline with neither willing to give up any significant space.
When the No.16 seed pulled off a difficult drop volley to earn herself a break back, it appeared she might find a way to claw back into the contest.
However, Kerber rose to the occasion, forcing three sets points on the Azarenka serve at 5-3. Despite managing to stave them all off, it wasn’t enough for the two-time Australian Open champion, as a deep return down the line from Kerber caught her off-guard and forced the error. A simple error from Azarenka then gave the German the opening set in 48 minutes.
It was a pivotal moment considering Azarenka’s 2016 record thus far – she had not lost more than four games in a single set.
Despite closing it out, the pressure was clearly mounting on Kerber. A strong challenge from Azarenka appeared a given – and the body language from Kerber suggested she too knew it was imminent.
As if on cue, Azarenka broke in the opening game and maintained the upper hand, rushing out to a 5-2 40-0 lead.
With a deciding set almost set in stone, the German lifted, and a huge double fault from Azarenka eventually gave the game to Kerber. With increased aggression, she continued to surge, but Azarenka valiantly held her at bay, again standing at multiple set points. Kerber refused to yield, and after Azarenka went the wrong way off a pop-up netcord, she took advantage of the open court to level at 5-5.
Continuing to ride the wave, Kerber drove hard to the line, and after one hour and 45 minutes, the match was ultimately hers.
It was a tough day out for Azarenka who, along with Serena Williams, was the hot title favourite this year. She hit an uncharacteristic 33 unforced errors and squandered six of her 13 break point opportunities.
The only lefty remaining in draw – the last to win the title was Monica Seles in 1996 – Kerber will now face British semifinal debutant Johanna Konta, a straight sets winner over Chinese qualifier Zhang Shaui, in an attempt to reach her first major final.
source:www.ausopen.com
Seemingly out of nowhere, Kerber set the scene early, cracking a couple of blistering forehands past her opponent on the way to a 4-0 lead. Azarenka was clearly a little shell-shocked, offering up two meek double faults, and as Kerber again threatened her on serve, the first set looked all but over.
To her credit, Azarenka began a spirited fightback, getting herself on the scoreboard and steadying the match, as both players traded blows from the baseline with neither willing to give up any significant space.
When the No.16 seed pulled off a difficult drop volley to earn herself a break back, it appeared she might find a way to claw back into the contest.
However, Kerber rose to the occasion, forcing three sets points on the Azarenka serve at 5-3. Despite managing to stave them all off, it wasn’t enough for the two-time Australian Open champion, as a deep return down the line from Kerber caught her off-guard and forced the error. A simple error from Azarenka then gave the German the opening set in 48 minutes.
It was a pivotal moment considering Azarenka’s 2016 record thus far – she had not lost more than four games in a single set.
Despite closing it out, the pressure was clearly mounting on Kerber. A strong challenge from Azarenka appeared a given – and the body language from Kerber suggested she too knew it was imminent.
As if on cue, Azarenka broke in the opening game and maintained the upper hand, rushing out to a 5-2 40-0 lead.
With a deciding set almost set in stone, the German lifted, and a huge double fault from Azarenka eventually gave the game to Kerber. With increased aggression, she continued to surge, but Azarenka valiantly held her at bay, again standing at multiple set points. Kerber refused to yield, and after Azarenka went the wrong way off a pop-up netcord, she took advantage of the open court to level at 5-5.
Continuing to ride the wave, Kerber drove hard to the line, and after one hour and 45 minutes, the match was ultimately hers.
It was a tough day out for Azarenka who, along with Serena Williams, was the hot title favourite this year. She hit an uncharacteristic 33 unforced errors and squandered six of her 13 break point opportunities.
The only lefty remaining in draw – the last to win the title was Monica Seles in 1996 – Kerber will now face British semifinal debutant Johanna Konta, a straight sets winner over Chinese qualifier Zhang Shaui, in an attempt to reach her first major final.
source:www.ausopen.com
Defending champion Serena Williams overpowers Maria Sharapova in straight sets to book semi against Agnieszka Radwanska
The six-time Australian Open champion struggled early on against Sharapova before stamping her authority in the second set to extend her lopsided head-to-head record against the Russian to 19-2 with the one-hour, 31-minute result.
In a worrying omen for the contenders still standing between the 34-year-old and a 22nd major, in each of the six times Williams has won her Australian Open quarterfinal she has gone all the way to the title.
And of the three previous times she has faced Sharapova in a tour quarterfinal she has also gone on to claim the title.
“It was super intense. She’s an incredibly intense, focused player who was No.1 and who’s won so many Grand Slams for a reason,” Williams said. “You have to come out with a lot of fire and intensity … I think I didn’t start out that way.”
Until today, Sharapova had not lost in eight previous quarterfinals at Melbourne Park and started the better of the two.
After edging ahead 5-4 on serve, the American piled the pressure on the 28-year-old’s serve, bringing up set point with a heavy crosscourt forehand drawing the error.
Sharapova would save three set points, including one with a monster forehand return flattened down the line, but Williams would prevail on her fourth attempt, breaking with a forehand volley winner for 6-4.
source:www.ausopen.com
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