Tricky semifinal in Melbourne. Vika was leading comfortably against a very nervous Sloane Stephens when she choked a bit in the 2nd set.
The experience gap was huge and very clear between the two. The American couldn’t really bite as she did in the quarters against Serena and even if Vika didn’t play at her best she was in full control of the match.
A key moment was when the Belarusian got the 4-2 lead in the 2nd set. From that position she managed to go and serve from the match when she was 5-3 up. Vika couldn’t really close the match to take a controversial injury time out when she was 5-4 up.
In a later interview she said that she left the court for injury time out because she couldn’t breath. (???)
Back to court Vika won the set 6-4.
From Vika
“I almost did the choke of the year right now,” commented Azarenka. “At 5-3 having so many chances, couldn’t close it out but I’m glad I could close it out. Nerves got into me for sure.”
