The Women’s Quarters, Aussie Open 2012 Who is the fastest talker? Clijsters or Radwanska?

Written by: Tennischiro on 23rd January 2012

The Women's Quarters, Aussie Open 2012 Who is the fastest talker? Clijsters or Radwanska?

A slow shutter speed picture of Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark hitting a return in her women's fourth round match against Jelena Jankovic of Serbia at the Australian Open Grand Slam tennis tournament in Melbourne, Australia, 22 January 2012. EPA/HOW HWEE YOUNG |

The Women’s Quarterfinals could easily go completely according to form; that is, the top 4 seeds appear likely to fulfill their placements and reach the semifinals, with one possible exception.

Clijsters/Wozniacki. I might have picked Clijsters to upset the reigning world number one on the big stage, but the ankle sprain she suffered against Li Na is likely to give Caroline too big an advantage to exploit. Faced with the opportunity to avenge her loss in last year’s final against a hobbled Clijsters, Li Na simply choked. There’s just no other way to put it. Normally, Kim moves as well as anyone in the women’s game, but against Li Na she manufactured a win with hardly any mobility and lots of guts. Finally, the sun played its role and took what little energy Li Na had not lost to her nerves. It was painful to watch. On the other hand, Wozniacki continued to move through the draw with a straight sets, if challenging, win against Jelena Jankovic. She will be very fit and well rested for her match with Kim. I don’t think Kim can beat her on 1 1/2 legs.

Azarenka/Radwanska. These two both made short work of their round of 16 opponents. Radwanska is an underdog here, but she is playing very well and is the one player not in the top 4 seeds that I would pick to break through to the semis. If she gets there, I make her a nightmare for Wozniacki. She beat Caroline just a couple of weeks ago at Sydney, but then lost to Vika whom she had beaten last fall in Tokyo. I just like the fact that she plays with such intelligence. Moreover, she is QUIET! I can’t stand the Azarenka screaming and I think that will bring the Aussie crowd to the diminutive Pole’s assistance as well. I’m a little out on a limb here, but I do hate the gawd-awful grunting.

Makarova/Sharapova. I only saw a little of Makarova’s match, but she appeared solid and didn’t waiver in completing a rout of perennial Aussie Open factor, Serena Williams. Pretty impressive performance for an unseeded newcomer. But Sharapova appears to be back in stride having survived a tough test courtesy of Sabine Lisicki and she is very eager to get back into the final rounds of a Major. These two met twice last year on the clay at Madrid and then Rome. While Makarova surprised Maria and took the second set in the first match, she was routed 1 in the third there and 1 & 1 in Rome. Makarova may well be a new face in the women’s top ten, but Sharapova will hold the spotlight in this one.

Errani/Kvitova. I’m afraid this will be a rout. Little Errani barely gets her fastest serves into the low 90’s and she averages only about 80 MPH on her first serve. Her second serve is barely over 70 MPH. She will be lucky to touch many balls after her serve in her service games, much less win those games. She’ll probably be more competitive in Kvitova’s service games, but only by comparison. I noticed Navratilova said in interviews over the weekend that she is very impressed with Kvitova and also thinks Petra will be the next dominant player in the women’s game. She’s definitely my pick to win the tournament and start what could be a very long reign as women’s number one!

So not too much suspense here, except in the Vika/Aggie match. And a last chance to see Aussie Kim Down Under. But what is it about these girls that speak English as a second language. Radwanska may actually talk faster than Clijsters. I wasn’t sure that was possible; and it’s in a second language. How fast must they talk in their native tongues? I just hope they bring a little of that speed to their matches tomorrow. It will make the post match interviews much more entertaining.

TennisChiro

Topics: Australian Open, Li Na, Sharapova, Women's tennis, Wozniacki