Australian Open 2012 Tennis: Azarenka Through to Final At Clijsters’ Expense

Belarussian Victoria Azarenka (3) has made it to the 2012 Australian Open Women’s Singles Final after picking up a 2-1 victory over last year’s Champion, Belgian Kim Clijsters (11), in the Semi-Final on Thursday 26 January 2012.

Azarenka won through despite dropping the second set, with a scoreline of 6-4 1-6 6-3.

This match was extremely close. The principle difference between Azarenka and Clijsters being Azarenka’s play on the key points. She times her match to perfection, picking up the breaks in sets one and three when required, and playing well within herself.

Clijsters will come away knowing that she was close to another Australian Open Final in this, her final season, though, as the Belgian was more than a match for her opponent in much of this match, and in fact hit more winners and won more points across the three sets. That being said, once set two was gone, Azarenka let it go, and instead focussed on coming out strongly in the third set to wrap up the match in most professional style.

It was an emotional farewell for Clijsters, who is to retire from tennis at the end of this season.

Azarenka will face Maria Sharapova (4) in the Australian Open 2012 Final, after the Russian fourth seed came through her semi-final against Petra Kvitova (2) in three sets.

Australian Open 2012 – Clijsters v Azarenka Match Statistics

Clijsters (BEL) Azarenka (BLR)
1st Serve % 53 of 84 = 63 % 56 of 97 = 58 %
Aces 1 1
Double Faults 5 7
Unforced Errors 44 40
Winning % on 1st Serve 37 of 53 = 70 % 38 of 56 = 68 %
Winning % on 2nd Serve 12 of 31 = 39 % 17 of 41 = 41 %
Winners 26 20
Receiving Points Won 42 of 97 = 43 % 35 of 84 = 42 %
Break Point Conversions 4 of 12 = 33 % 4 of 11 = 36 %
Net Approaches 8 of 14 = 57 % 18 of 23 = 78 %
Total Points Won 91 90
Fastest Serve Speed 176 KMH 168 KMH
Average 1st Serve Speed 156 KMH 156 KMH
Average 2nd Serve Speed 140 KMH 142 KMH

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