For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key To Win. Wikimedia Commons by Assaf YekuelVictoria Azarenka defeated defending Australian Open Women's Champion Kim Clijsters in the first set of their match up 6-4. But then Clijisters came handed Azarenka a 6-1 defeat in the next set. This of course forced a deciding set. Azarenka came back from the defeat of that set to beat Clijsters 6-3. For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key to Her Win.

Commenting afterwards, Azarenka said that Clijsters really dominated the second set. She said she felt like she was running a marathon. SkySports.com, reporting on the match, quoted her as saying, “I have one more set to go. I have another, I don’t know, hour, 30 minutes, 40 minutes to make a difference. That was my mental approach.”

Now if Azarenka beats Maria Sharapova in their match up, Victoria Azarenka would be the top women’s player at age 22.

For Azarenka: Mental Tennis Was Key to Her Win

Victoria Azarenka believes her improved mental approach was what saw her to victory against defending champion Kim Clijsters in the semi-final of the Australian Open.

The Belarusian took the first set of the match 6-4 before she stumbled in the second as veteran Clijsters raced through it 6-1 to force a decider.

But Azarenka managed turn the match around once again, taking the final-set 6-3 to reach her maiden grand slam final.

“She was really dominating (in the second set),” said Azarenka. “She made me run so much, I felt I was running a marathon out there.

“I just tried to start to be more aggressive and tried to play my game and, yeah, start from the beginning.

Emotional

“I have one more set to go. I have another, I don’t know, hour, 30 minutes, 40 minutes to make a difference. That was my mental approach.

“Before, I think you all thought I was a mental case but I was just young and emotional.

“But I’m really glad the way I fought. That’s the thing I’m most proud of, I fought for every ball.”

And should Azarenka, 22, go on to beat Maria Sharapova in the final on Saturday, she would also become the new world number one.

Desire

“I really want it bad, you know,” she said. “It was difficult to get back in the match, to keep fighting, keep going.

“But that’s what it’s all about. It’s all worth it.”

Azarenka remained mature following the emotional rollercoaster and understands there is still work to do before the celebrations can begin.

“I’m still in the tournament so I have my mind still in the tournament,” she admitted. “You know, today was not the end.

“I have one more match to go. I have to stay humble and stay focused.”

 

It remains to be seen how well Azarenka continues to do in the Australian Open.  If she can pull of a win against Sharapova, it will be the first grand slam for Azarenka.

For Azarenka, however, mental tennis was key to her win over Clijsters and may well be the key to her win over Sharapova. Click here to read the article on SkySports.com.