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Victoria Azarenka - Sloane Stephens Live

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Nationality Player Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Set 4 Set 5
BelarusV Azarenka66---
United StatesS Stephens14---

Live Comments

  1. - - That was far from easy for the world number one but she is through to defend her title against Li Na in Saturday's final. That will be at 8am UK time on Saturday morning so join us again then

  2. - - AZARENKA 6-1 6-4 - GAME, SET & MATCH! This time Stephens cannot quite save the match point, sending her backhand just wide down the line. Azarenka doesn't really celebrate, she just looks relieved. And she is through to the final where she will face Li Na.

  3. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-4 - A race up to the net and a forehand winner down the line from Azarenka brings up a sixth match point ...

  4. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-4 - Azarenka sends a forehand just marginally long to end a lengthy rally and hand Stephens the first point of the game. But the American slaps down a double fault to get the Belarusian off the mark. Stephens sneaks ahead again with a forehand winner down the line but Azarenka levels with a blistering forehand return of serve winner across court. Stephens earns herself a game point when Azarenka hits long but a forehand long against seed the top seed level. Deuce. Again!

  5. - - Azarenka has called for the trainer and the doctor on and she is currently being assessed. She looks like she's got herself in such a state that she is hyperventilating almost. She has gone for a full medical timeout, which will be conducted off the court.

  6. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-4 - BREAK! And this time Stephens does break back, the American rattling a forehand passnig shot down the line. The American will still have to serve to stay in this match after the change of ends, however

  7. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-3 - A huge forehand across court goes just wide from Azarenka (that was a little unlucky for the Belarusian) and Stephens earns herself a break back point with a backhand passing shot winner. Azarenka saves it with a much more solid backhand volley that Stephens can only hit long. Back to deuce. Again. Another forehand goes wide from Azarenka to hand Stephens yet another chance to break...

  8. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-3 - Groan. Azarenka puts a forehand approach shot into the net to squander the chance yet again but a fifth chance is presented to her when Stephen's backhand passing shot ends up in the net...

  9. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-3 - Again the world number one squanders it, with a forehand long and a squeal, and this time she puts a forehand just wide down the line to hand Stephens a break back point. Azarenka saves it with a great first serve that Stephens can only return long. A forehand drive volley winner earns Azarenka a fourth match point. Can she get it done this time?

  10. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-3 - The first goes begging after a great point from Stephens as a retreating Azarenka puts a forehand into the net as does the second when the Belarusian sends a regulation backhand long. Back to deuce. Stephens does all the hard work by setting up the point beautifully but she puts her forehand approach shot long to hand Azarenka a third chance...

  11. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-3 - Azarenka opens with an angled forehand winner across court before also finding an ace. Stephens sends a backhand wide down the line to hand the Belaruisan two match points ...

  12. - - AZARENKA 6-1 5-3 - BREAK! Stephens waits an age for the ball to come down only to smash long to drop the first point of the game. And she goes on to hand Azarenka break points yet again and again gives away the game when she fails to land a forehand volley. Azarenka will serve for the match next...

  13. - - AZARENKA 6-1 4-3 - BREAK! Azarenka explodes at herself after consecutive double faults hand Stephens another break point. And then she slams the ball away in frustration after putting a cross court forehand wide.

  14. - - AZARENKA 6-1 4-2 - A forehand winner from Stephens followed by a double from Azarenka help the American level at 30-30. Stephens' running backhand on the next point catches the top of the tape and fails to go over letting Azarenka off the hit, only for the Belarusian to send a forehand long. Deuce. A inside-out forheand winner across court from Stephens brings up another break point. But Azarenka saves it...

  15. - - AZARENKA 6-1 4-2 - BREAK! Azarenka finds herself in possession of three more break points when Stephens sends a backhand just marginally wide down the line. Only the one chance is needed though as the American hits another error to concede her serve. Azarenka is a break up once again.

  16. - - AZARENKA 6-1 3-2 - Azarenka gets her side of the scoreboard ticking over again with a battling service hold. She slaps down another double fault to give Stephens a look-in but recovers quickly enough and goes on to hold to sneak out in front again

  17. - - AZARENKA 6-1 2-2 - Stephens sends a regulation backhand long to squander a first game point. But Azarenka is still struggling a bit with that ankle and does not move well to the wide ball, instead hitting into the net. Stephens has levelled up this second set

  18. - AZARENKA 6-1 2-1 - BREAK! Azarenka pulls up after chasing a ball out wide. It doesn't look like it's too serious as she quickly gets back on level terms at 30-30 after a backhadn wide across court from Stephens and then a forehand volley winner from the Belarusian. The American does pull back at deuce before earning herself a break back point with a forehand volley winner. And sure enough she does get the break back with another trip to the net

  19. - - AZARENKA 6-1 2-0 - BREAK! Stephens looks like she is only getting more uptight as she slaps down a double fault to hand Azarenka two more break points. The American does well, however, to save the first with a trip into the net and a forehand volley winner. And she saves the second with a much better serve that the Belarusian can only hit into the net. But Azarenka gets a third chance with a Stephens forehand into the net. And this time she does break, another Stephens error causing the damage

  20. - - AZARENKA 6-1 1-0 - Azarenka eases through a hold to 15, working Stephens around the baseline before finding a cross court backhand winner off a shorter ball.

  21. - - Azarenka took that first set in 33 minutes. It has been a pretty impressive display so far from the world number one, who has one-foot in the final now as she looks to defend her title

  22. - - AZARENKA 6-1 - SET! Stephens saves a first game point with a cracking off forehand winner across court. But she can do nothing about the second, Azarenka luring the American into the net before putting up a fantastic, inch-perfect backhand lob across court.

  23. - - AZARENKA 5-1 - Stephens does well up at the net, she's four from four on points up at the net so far today. But it's only a temporary respite for the American as Azarenka eases through another service game, holding when Stephens puts a return into the net. The 19-year-old will have to serve to stay in this opening set next

  24. - - AZARENKA 4-1 - BREAK! Azarenka fails to take advantage of another break point by hitting a forehand long of the baseline. But Stephens cannot use either of her game points either and Azarenka gets a second chance to secure the double break. And this time she does extend her lead, Stephens going for a backhand down the line only to hit wide

  25. - - AZARENKA 3-1 - Stephens is definitely starting to find her range now as she drills a forehand winner down the line. But Azarenka doesn't drop another point as she goes on to hold with a huge serve that the American can only return long of the baseline

  26. - - AZARENKA 2-1 - A first ace from Stephens helps her set up a game point from deuce. But Azarenka prevents the American taking advantage with a forehand winner across court. The world number one also saves another game point but Stephens goes on to hold with a blistering backhand winner down the line. That should help settle the youngsters nerves.

  27. - - AZARENKA 2-0 - Azarenka races through her opening service hold to consolidate the break and keep all the early pressure on Stephens. This could be a tough match for Azarenka - she is the more experienced player and is definitely expected to win.

  28. - - AZARENKA 1-0 - BREAK! Stephens looks like she is going to get off to a great hold as she eases out to a 40-15 lead with a great forehand winner. But Azarenka has hit her stride quickly and finds a couple of forehand winners of her own before going on to break with a forehand return of serve winner

  29. - - Here we go then. Stephen will get the clash underway by serving first ...

  30. - - The players are just about ready to go. This is for the right to play Chinese sixth seed Li Na in the final on Saturday. If you missed her victory over second seed Maria Sharapova just a few minutes ago, you can catch up on it with our report. Li demolishes Sharapova to reach final

  31. - - And why not get in touch on Twitter with your predictions or questions about this match. Follow on Twitter @pippawdavis.

  32. - - Don't forget you can watch this clash, as well as all the other semi-finals and both finals, live in full on the Eurosport Player. Just click here to subscribe.

  33. - - These two have never met each other before so there is nothing to go on from their past meetings - not that that necessarily carries much weight at this stage of the tournament anyway.

  34. - - Stephens, meanwhile, has had a tougher run through the draw. She has been pushed to three sets in each of the last two round. Also she has never been to this stage of a Grand Slam before which could weigh heavy on her. On the other hand, she really has nothing to lose today and has already come back from a set down to beat Serena Williams, albeit an injured Serena.

  35. - - Azarenka has been in pretty good form in reaching this stage of the tournament, having dropped just one set so far. That came against another American youngster, Jamie Hampton, who was playing brilliantly until she exacerbated a back injury - two herniated discs that she has been playing with since the French Open last year.

  36. - - This is the second semi-final and it's between world number one, and defending champion, Victoria Azarenka and 29th seeded rising star Sloane Stephens.

  37. - - Hello and welcome to women's semi-final day at the Australian Open.

Victoria Azarenka

Nationality BLR
Date of Birth 31/07/1989
Height 1.8 m
Weight 60 kg

Sloane Stephens

Nationality USA
Date of Birth 20/03/1993
Height 1.7 m
Weight 61 kg

Comment 3 - 23 of 23

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  1. Azarenka clearly suffered from heat stroke. Even a­ blind person could see it in her face and body­ language. To call it "dishonesty" is total­ overstatement. She clearly was forced to cut down the­ rallys and approached the net very early in the rally.­ And that was right before she had to take her injury­ timout. Azarenka finally overcame her predicament and­ should be respected for that....not bashed !

    From Fiasco_Seven, on Thu 24 Jan 19:42

  2. playing sport for honour or money...for money the moral­ compass swinks! Azrarenka pulling a little stunt like­ that is the begnning of dishonesty and poor­ shortsmanship...i can see how Lance Armstrong got out­ of hand...a little cheating hereand there. The WTA­ should fine her or have the game replayed from the­ injury time..i feel cheated of what would be a­ brilliant game !!! Also for the new commers to­ Tennis..Azarenka always had a bad attitude..go watch­ some earlier games on the circuit!!

    From Cocoplum19, on Thu 24 Jan 19:04

  3. In every Grand slam, the tournament organisers set up­ the draw in sharapova's favour. All light weight­ players are pitted against her, this way when she beats­ them, they say how she is demolishing the opponent. Li­ na was the 1 real seeded player that she had to face­ since the tournament started. Now everyone sees the­ result and it is as predicted. Put a real player in­ front of her, and she rumbles like a cookie. I am glad­ she did not get to the final. She is so full of #$%$.­ Not really talented as they try to make out. Just a­ #$%$ that likes to scream like an injured dog! As for­ Azarenka, I use to like her, but now she is off my list­ completely. Hope she loose on saturday

    From browning, on Thu 24 Jan 15:54

  4. What a disgusting girl Azarenka has turned out to be!­ Hope Li na whip her #$%$! That was pure gamesmanship­ tactics she was using. Should not have Been allowed to­ happen!

    From browning, on Thu 24 Jan 15:44

  5. USA goes home :) Good bye!! BELARUS in the final!

    From Vadzim, on Thu 24 Jan 13:17

  6. 22, I'm entitled to my opinion. Asides Serena, the­ girl beat some good players on her way to the quarter­ finals. Sloane has earned my respect but Serena is­ still the best 'in my opinion'.

    From Nkechi, on Thu 24 Jan 12:16

  7. Azarenka pulling a sicky. What a supprise. She did the­ same against Radwanska with an 'injured foot'­ and then went on to win. Radwanska saw through her and­ it effected her relationship.

    From Stu, on Thu 24 Jan 8:13

  8. Oh yeah tennis at it's best....more like cheating­ at it's best. I know for sure there will be a­ couple thousand Australians rooting and it won't be­ for Cheating Vika!!!!!!!! Serena is still the best, she­ doesn't have to cheat to win, her talent does that­ for her.

    From ClaudiaE, on Thu 24 Jan 6:54

  9. Well a great tactic, Game, set, CHEAT!!!!!!!!!!!! I am­ now rooting for Li Na to win this match. Atleast I know­ she won't get a panic attack and call the­ trainer.....Great win Cheater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    From ClaudiaE, on Thu 24 Jan 6:43

  10. Dear Stephens Next time when your opponant uses a­ medical timeout as a delay tactic, please use your­ common sense; 1. Get up and keep your muscles warm 2.­ Do some practise serve You had the perfect­ oppertunity to get yourself prepare for your serve. You­ have a unreliable and slow serve, you should have taken­ the chance to get your tools ready. Dont understand why­ your coach didn't signal to you to get up.

    From Lowell, on Thu 24 Jan 6:39

  11. 21. What silly talk. Beating an injured player­ doesn't make you a slayer. The fact she still­ nearly lost show she is soooo not ready yet. Get­ yourself some knowledge

    From Lowell, on Thu 24 Jan 6:32

  12. Regardless of the outcome of today's match,­ I've become a huge fan of Sloane, the slayer. The­ girl has got talent!

    From Nkechi, on Thu 24 Jan 6:19

  13. @15 - most indians /asians are racists towards black­ people. Tong tong and Sam are the most extreme bloggers­ in terms of abuses to the Williams in particular. BTW,­ Sloane was lucky to face an injured Serena. She might­ well get a bagel. :O

    From Guy, on Thu 24 Jan 5:23

  14. how i wish Serena wasn't injured, would have had a­ better semi rather than the current trashing Sloane is­ getting from vika.

    From ede o, on Thu 24 Jan 5:15

  15. @mon P. Serena can be #1 unless Azarenka wins the slam.­ Just reaching the final won't be enough for Vika to­ hold the top ranking spot.

    From Guy, on Thu 24 Jan 5:05

  16. @Terry i think Sam is not white himself proberley­ indian/middle eastern.

    From alchemist, on Thu 24 Jan 5:05

  17. Everyone, ignore Sam Parik. He is a mentally­ dysfunctional person that needs serious mental help. He­ has developed black hate disease, and wants to join the­ KKK. Now lets ignore the idiots and enjoy the tennis.­ Let's go SLOANE!

    From Terry, on Thu 24 Jan 4:46

  18. It's so funny that that some players are made to­ really fight to get to the final of the Australian Open­ while Sharapova walked to the semi final beating­ paper weight players. A real big test and she is­ beaten. She the headline will read "Sharapova­ demolished by Li Na". I don't know why the­ press keep overrating Sharapova.

    From Joshua, on Thu 24 Jan 4:44

  19. If Stephens wins, we'll have a silent final! Good­ luck to the Sloane ranger.

    From John, on Thu 24 Jan 4:37

  20. Haters pls shut up. Anyone can loose a match!

    From browning, on Thu 24 Jan 0:45
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