Time To Make A Statement: Victoria Azarenka Breezes Through 2013 Brisbane International Quarterfinals, Now Takes On Serena Williams

Victoria Azarenka (click to enlarge)

This is the semifinal match most tennis fans wanted to see at the 2013 Brisbane International. For Victoria Azarenka, it is a chance to finish what she couldn’t in the 2012 US Open women’s singles final. Granted, Brisbane isn’t the US Open or the Australian Open. But Serena Williams has pretty much humbled Maria Sharapova. Vika’s record (1-11) is even worse, but in some of those losses Vika had chances, like in Flushing Meadow. What matters here, for the health of the game is whether somebody can at least challenge Serena. For a while, that person was Justine Henin before she started having injury issues. Justine isn’t walking through the door, as they say. And even if she did, she wouldn’t be the player she once was. Masha can’t seem to handle Serena. I know they always play that Wimbledon win of Sharapova’s over and over, but that was in 2004! Masha or Vika need to stand up in 2013 and beat Serena to make things interesting. If they can’t, and Serena is healthy…which it seems she is…it could be an historic year for Williams. And there is nothing wrong with that. Serena is the best. She should win most of the time. She deserves it. However, I think rivalries can push the sport to greater heights. But right now, there is no rival for Serena if she keeps torching the two highest ranked players.