As I sit and write this blog between the early hours of 1:30 and 3am on Tuesday morning, having set my alarm in anticipation of a tense quarter final match between the blonde Queen against the blonde apprentice on the WTA tour. Number 2 seed Maria Sharapova vs the 7th seed Eugenie Bouchard. My sleep pattern goes out the window whilst the Australian Open is on TV. A truly special Grand Slam and my personal favourite.
The first set was a ding-dong affair, both women hitting with depth and power. The Canadian erratic at times, lost serve twice in the first set as the Russian took it 6-3.
You have to admire the guts from Sharapova, no matter what the situation, she will go big for her second serve and this reflects her Ace to Double Fault ratio which stood at 2:4 for the match and now 21:23 for the tournament. Despite this, if the first serve goes in, she wins the majority of her points, Maria ending the match at 84% first serve points won, a total of 27 from 32. Her serve is a huge weapon from a player that has 5 Grand Slams to her name.
The pivotal eighth game, Sharapova served multiple double faults but somehow pulled through. An interesting quote from former British Ladies number 1 Sam Smith who was commentating on the match was that Sharapova had won the most three set matches on tour last year, this shows her resilience and belief that she will cross the line when things get tough.
In comparison the speed, agility and timing of Bouchard is incredible to watch, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone attack and hit the ball as early as Bouchard does. The commentary team during the match said that sometimes they believe she should step back a little, and that her stubborn approach will over power her when she is struggling. Her improved results clearly show the way she plays is working however as the last two seasons she has shot up the rankings into a recognised top ten athlete.
Likewise in the second set, Maria broke early as she fired herself into a 4-1 lead and never looked back. The relentless heavy hitting from both women was breath-taking to watch, taking shots on with the highest degree of difficulty, moving their opponents effortlessly around the court but it was Sharapova who came through 6-2 in the 2nd set. The score line suggesting a 6-3 6-2 victory was comfortable and to be honest it was more straight forward than I and many others were expecting.
What next for 20 year old Bouchard? A disappointing straight sets loss at the hands of Sharapova for the fourth time in just short of two years, she will head to the next tournament looking for a big response. Sharapova on the other hand, will fancy her chances at Australian Open glory where she hasn’t lifted the title since 2008.
She will play a fellow Russian and 10th seed Ekaterina Makarova who impressively knocked out fancied Simona Halep in her Quarter Final earlier on the Rod Laver Court in Melbourne Park. Makarova winning 6 out of 7 matches in 2015 all by 2 sets to love. Ekaterina will hope she can improve on her 0/5 win loss ratio vs Maria. The winner will be dreaming of a place in Saturdays final against potentially one of the Williams sisters who both play their Quarter Finals tomorrow.
My next alarm is set for 8:15am as Andy Murray takes on talented Aussie youngster Nick Kyrgios. The atmosphere should be electric and I for one can’t wait!
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