AO Quarter Finals: Serena and Azarenka- Eye of the Tigers

(c) Associated Press photographs

I'm knackered after the final women's 1/4 match. As ever, Serena Williams shows you can never say never by winning 5 games on the bounce in the 2nd set from 0-4 down and eventually taking the match 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.

The prognosis midway in the 2nd set was easy: Vika all the way. She hit with authority, confidence, commitment, and Serena was an uneasy passenger in for a very bumpy ride. In her on court interview, Williams admitted: "[during that time] I thought if I lose here and at doubles, I can probably catch a flight home on Friday"

Azarenka was a revelation. For the majority of the match, she looked like the winner. She would surely have been my pick to go onto win if she succeeded here, so imperious was her form.

But to be an 11-time Slam winner - and a damn tenacious one at that - takes some spirit and inner calm. Man, did this come to the rescue like Old Faithful in the nick of time.

For all my waxing lyrical on the magical come back of Serena, it's impossible to dismiss Victoria's play and mental fortitude today. She really didn't do much wrong- her game plan, pace and length of shots were all outstanding. The difference, I thought, was in the impact of their serves. Serena's first serve stats were 50% against 77% for Vika, yet was only winning 57% off her first serve compared to 67% for Serena. Added to that, Williams routinely started ripping return winners from her serve with embarrassing ease. Her down the line shots were taken so early Vika barely moved. BLAPS.

Serena racked up 57 winners and 14 aces; a mere 3 of which came from the first set. These are some schizophrenic stats. http://www.australianopen.com/en_AU/scores/stats/day15/2501ms.html

Vika really did a superb job at hemming Serena into corners and making life out there thoroughly unpleasant. She did everything; which is why I also feel for her with this loss. I also think it could be a benchmark moment for her- if she needed motivation to improve the weaker areas of her game (serves), this was it. If she needed proof that pretty much all other areas of her game stacks up against the best player on the tour, the same match should give her that confidence.

All in all, exciting and enjoyable stuff. There is always something a little special when you see a 'passing of the guard' moment; this bore convincing hallmarks. So that moment didn't turn out to be now? This match is a sign that Victoria Azarenka could be the heir aparent to Serena Williams.

Only the Queen ain't for bowing just yet...