Victoria Azarenka vs. Wang Yafan Full Match | 2024 US Open Round 3

play 15 [Applause] left one off from winning the toss and putting the three time runner up here into surf so Rea had last final coming back in 2020 when we had to crowdless stadiums beaten on that occasion by nomak 13 left you've played on this court it's different isn't it it's a b different it's definitely skids more than the other stadiums I feel like and and I hit on it this year just thought some bounces were funky like that served to me skid [Applause] bit 14 love interesting to see how she pulls up she was unwell in her first round match uh three Setter against the Ukrainian qualifier his name I haven't quite got to grips with as yet and then had a migraine out on the Armstrong in a second round match against claraa borell did very well to finish the match in two and that's the perfect start I guess she's [Applause] okay first game it's not easy I mean having a migraine you don't just recover like in a couple of hours I mean she's yeah she's had a day and a half or whatever but she played later I think she was evening match on God the days are disappearing on Wednesday I've never had a migraine so I would I mean I'm guessing it's not nice but to me she's always just such a good match starter i' whenever I've played her I feel like you got to be on from the first point like that first game she just played we we'll get to your meetings with at some point as you brought it up I don't think I want to no no now you I wasn't actually I was going to just brush over them but now you brought it up via I think we will get we'll get to them in the chain over 15 funny time of it she's currently ranked at 80 in the world but she has been in the in the top 50 that was uh back in 2019 and then she was one of those players coming from China that really struggled with the covid restrictions got stuck really just sort of hemmed in [Music] there 59 for three years didn't really play that many events ranking went down to 400 in the to the 400s that was top but last year you know she went from like four something or other to the top 100 and so she's she's back playing now she's back playing well that's good play he L using that for hand from the middle inside out or inside in I controlling the points from that side for her will be keep it is her best shot as far as I can you haven't played her I haven't just doubles [Applause] oh 14 1 I always felt like vka before I hit with her for the first time I thought she hit the ball so hard but really she takes a lot of time away with her Court positioning and taking the ball early and the actual hit isn't as hard as you think it is but she just rushes you a lot with with everything else get the sense she Smothers opponents yeah right up on that te and you're just on the end of a piece of strength help game one one g on for set [Applause] [Music] 35 years of age made her debut here back in 2006 it's her 17th appearance let's p back on debut made it all the way through to the third round as a teenager beat Anastasia mosina in her Opening match the 11th seed that year year later won the mixed with Max mey go 15 [Applause] love just love how via NE is never afraid to come in even that ball was close to the middle but she still committed commit to it and went for it 30 love [Music] 14 plus down sort of here for Azarenka who's sort of maintaining that top top 20 status at the moment had a great run in Miami it through the semifinals lost reacer in the end quarterfinals finals in Rome taken out by colins semi-final in Berlin [Applause] [Music] 14 15 didn't play at Wimbledon or the Olympics but a quarterfinal in Washington lost to a fellow ban Arena saen and then 16 round of 16 Toronto had to retire against pton Stone injury and illness of sort of a feature of more recent years for aaren and I wonder if the trainers got sort of one eye on this court back in the locker room I definitely think this St as career you manage your body a lot more throughout the year pick and choose which events you want to play she's not looking to be number one in the world anymore it's all about can she can she get another slam Grand Slam title to add to her collection [Music] on serve in this first set other than khes two games to one first set [Music] okay I think we're going to get to your matches against via Madrid 2015 and more recently Wimbledon uh 5 years ago now what what's it like it's going up against her I have to say on on clay at altitude and on the grass at Wimbledon what what's the feel of it yeah the one in Madrid I felt like I was still a baby 9 years ago and um what via always does to me she makes me not play Within Myself I always think I need to do a lot more than what my game plan is to begin with um and I to this day I I still am mad at the one in Wimbledon because I thought I should have responded better she did play well both times but just puts pressure on me the whole time and and I overplay tend to do that against her and is that what you see a lot of other opponents doing butly panicky against her not as much as I did in my two uh times meeting her but yeah I I think she makes you play worse than you come then you want to yeah okay that's a really interesting perspective let's see how Yan goes here oh love 15 when young fan is one of those Chinese players just getting a little forgotten really in the seven in the world's top 100 and with all the success of Jung chinen who made the final down Australia to Great ACC claim and then the Olympic gold well that's that's really sort of set things going again back in that part of the world J got an absolute Superstar now oh La 1 Wang actually took some time away from the game uh because she was a bit burned out and came back with A New Perspective I find that a lot that happens in our game oh [Music] [Applause] dropped fabulous point from both women 15 13 thought she could have done more on that swing volley but I think it was actually really high it's a good touch one Fang is deceptive isn't she 5 foot six moves well oh [Applause] 30 what do you like about her game Wong I like how she moves incredibly well but there's not really a huge weakness that you can exploit I feel like you really have to play bully her around the court to get errors foxy off and a world of trouble here against still one of the tour's best returners a ranker just over 15 minutes on court first break point for the belarussian the number one on the march here early on and getting off to a great start three games to one first set felt like that double fall also is credit to Via stepping in from the first point on her second Ser creates pressure whether you like it or not it's in wrong for [Applause] sure love [Applause] 15 not a player that you you underestimate she's very understated sort of great contrast in terms of the personalities of the two out here as ARA you know plays with a personality you feel her when you're when you're out on court by contrast one very quiet demeanor C [Applause] so as a ranker turned to be at love 30 a lot of opportunities in this section of the draw it was where Baba K CH the eighth seed on wiland Champion went out earlier in the week oh Some solid points for long not really giving vka any shorter balls to take control of just when you thought the former finalist was up and running here having to face a an immediate break back point game one well well well couple of breaks already in this first set ASA ahead 3-2 but lost a little of moment set just a light Breeze out there on the courts today very pleasant playing conditions Sun it might take a while to it's battle with the crowds but ideal conditions so where do you feel as a Rinker is in terms of of getting back to winning a slam or or making another final in terms of her level this year I think she's the the longer she goes into an event I think she gets better and I think all the best players are like that the best chance you always have is getting getting them in the early rounds so I think she's still building up her level but once she gets to to the last eight I'm not counting her out no I get the sense I remember um spana ketova when she was in a similar part of her career to Via you know had won slams been in the top 10 a long time been right at the top she said I don't need to play well for 52 weeks of the year I put it together for she still felt that she could put it together for two weeks of the year that's all she needed to do and I wonder if Bea is in that place [Applause] oh [Music] [Applause] Wong has had a pretty good run in here actually the fourth round in Washington where she lost aaran in a epic three Setter qualified and made the second round of Toronto beat safia Kenan lost GF qualified in ciny Rani and Erica Andrea oh was a set up on Alina spit Elina and then for some reason she went to Cleveland I don't think she needed any more matches as to SZ to so she's in good form and she's played a lot yes quite a few times in the last few [Music] games well I guess they have recent history as well there's plenty of data to look at as well as live experience do you do you look at the data that much I don't like to my coaches like to throw it in but not me 14 love we're going to get you to look at some data throughout this match we've got a couple of screens in here and you just pick out what you feel is important as as it starts to the numbers start to build up as we go through this first set oh perfectly played 405 [Applause] yeah got it again 14 that both players are really looking to come in when they hit a good shot even even though as a rank cap passor I think that's still such a positive play from from Wang still game point that's an excellent service hold and we are level in this opening said after a couple of breaks three games with Azarenka is so important to not let her get away that's whenever I play I always think about you don't want it to get her ahead cuz she's such a good front runner so Wang doing really well to get it to three all here yes unfortunately you did let her get away didn't you but we're going to just move we're going to move past that now what fif in love [Applause] [Applause] teach 13 were you on the tour when she was absolutely in her pump when she was number one in the world and making finals here that yes that's when I just started and we we had a practice together when I was really young and oh boy did she intimidate me but these days lives in Florida not too far from you so we we we practice quite a lot together 4 love from the current players for me aarka has always been Someone I used as an example for quite a few things in my game and one of them is her footwork she's not the fastest player on tour but if you just look at her footwork she's constantly moving really quickly between points G she likes to play fast and recovers well after being broken love aara ahead once more in this opening set is po game for set so many great things have happened at this US Open for Vi as I mentioned you know she was a teenager and won the mixed back in 2007 with Max mie she's actually a finalist in the doubles a few years ago with Ash bti they lost to Mertens and sabalenka what do you really think it's why do you think she's been able to sustain such a high level for a very long time and she's also had a child midcareer as well what is it about her that she's been able to do that I think she in the last couple of years she really tried to adjust to the how the game was evolving I see her being as a more aggressive player now than in her prime and I think she was aware that maybe her movement isn't as good as it used to be so she had to play quicker and closer to the lines and I mean you know she's still a contender at these events and had to evolve get better as well which is kind of impressive because she already was at her best you know a while ago so decade and a half she was the world number one has an 8-year-old son Leo I believe he's the young boy in the in the white headband with with the long hair [Applause] fun with the new balls new balls that's well watch as we've got the new ball how do you feel they've been playing this year in terms of the the fluffing up much better than last year I'll tell you that I did not like the heavy duty balls so I'm glad we're back to our regular ones but not tooo bad actually oh [Music] 13 last is there a big difference between the last couple of games with the old balls and the new ones that come out the can the way they're playing this year there is yeah I definitely always look forward to the new ones but I think maybe with today's weather it's not having such a huge impact the sun's not out maybe today not so much 14 L that's interesting the USDA very responsive to the players about because the men just to explain use the use the extra Duty which has a little more felt on uh and the women now are back using uh the regular Duty which was always the way it it used to be they mixed actually they used the regular Duty I found out but uh that was really they really went to the tour the women's tour and and and got some feedback G it's an excellent love H responds to one with her own four G like a very even match at the moment both players even looking at the stats not much difference at the moment [Applause] spe [Applause] [Applause] perfectly played F [Applause] love just a very light Breeze swirling around this grand stand which is about half full little seat just over [Applause] 8,000 59 there's a few little erors creeping into her game what do you what do you feel that that that's happening I I feel like she's expecting to maybe be winning this and instead of being at for all and I can just sense a bit of bit of nerves in vaa at the moment but she's always so intense that I can't sometimes tell the difference [Laughter] oh perfectly played great defense from one young F and what a way to turn it into an [Applause] attack 153 felt like she thought might that might have gone out but it caught the line in the end bit of an awkward bounce as well I'm telling you that Grand St Court skids funky got to be ready for it as a ranker at 1530 now in this game thir because backin is a bit more flat than her forehand I think this the the backhand crosscourt is one of her favorite shots like that one also changing direction line you sometimes want to stay out of that corner with her it's always been a great shot isn't it do you wouldn't have seen her in the Juniors but she was a champion here it was exactly the same shot oh yes is well covered B one what a way to bring up break point in this [Applause] game I get the feel surprised that certain balls land in certain places like she's not getting her footing right just doesn't seem comfortable at the moment out there the world number 80 here at one point tril an early break in the so he set down 31 making a very good recovery here yes I think there was a bit of angry in there but it worked well she is intense on in her downtime when you see maybe go for a coffee and Boker or something no downtime she's very relaxed but she is as intense in practice [Applause] he pulled it she back in trouble in this lengthy service game for the L Advantage one called by electronic line Corning live there's no one to have an argument with this game of this first except the first one that's actually gone to [Applause] juice and it's another break of the Azar and W Yan in front for the first time in this opening [Applause] set one lead five games to four first set so 40 minutes on the clock or as near as what has Wong done well in the last few games that maybe she didn't do at the start of the match I think she actually maybe it's not easy to see from here but I I feel like she was a bit more determined with their shots nothing short for vka to to close in on and different looks played a few slices some variety made via think a bit more out there and and I will say she she gave her a few errors as well so just you know tenis for you yeah sometimes it just is have to say Isa I love your dedication to this commentary profession because we're doing w y fan and you have the letters w n g on your T-shirt you I prepared well I I have to say that is I think we're going to all have to up our game in in this world because you've just taken things to another level wow I think you might struggle if we if we uh I don't know have someone else bu Monas or something like that but you know but you've started strong maybe just the initials next time [Music] [Applause] 15 left understandably frustrating might get a code violation how generous is a Empire Alberta going to be just's going to let that one ride fans on this grand stand Court game very interested in this women's third round match now go oh well played patient tennis from the Chinese number seven 13 love Asar aner really wears her heart on her sleeve but she'll always be ready for the next point and as an opponent that Wang knows that she has to keep delivering with her game in order to close the set out [Applause] 14 L W she's played very well hasn't she from being broken and trailing one through in this first set broke immediately back to love and she hasn't really looked back since there and the 30-year-old now at set point let for as a rank of the 20th seed three time f is in real trouble here in this third round oh [Applause] 14 15 [Applause] [Applause] with the opening set and she takes it by six games to four on the grand stand Court [Applause] help 15 love for not quite the ranker being stretched again 15 I like the problem soling with via she threw in the the drop shot just to do something different but right now it really feels like a lot of things are going Wong's way [Music] done [Applause] 15 vital game right at the start of this second set for for both women you would feel as the rank has been broken in two of our last three service games 30 [Applause] 14 13 that's definitely the side as a ranker can pick on more and get few more errors if she's aggressive to the back side of Wong let's let it's quite a lot of debate about whether on tennis we should start playing the le as you doing in world team tennis I wouldn't mind it [Applause] she's just missing isn't she fractionally bit of hesitation just makes you makes that ball go a bit long I know what it feels like another difficult Surface game for the former three-time finalist here a 17th appearance here at Flushing Meadow that time she makes it our advantage [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Applause] usei former finalist here back in 1997 l a pat ra that year a surprise addition to the the aarka C but a c but a good one [Applause] does feel like she's battling herself out there a little bit now um feel like she is doing the right thing but just missing shots in later part of the point doesn't help when it's so close the first game of the second set huge moment here in the context of this third round sing women's singles that hasri and now with a break right at the start of his second [Applause] set and Isa I just wonder about some of the misses if there is a little hangover from the migraine that she suffered less than a day and a half ago warning I mean I think that's fair enough from selia alberty She's let she's let a few things go she's not known as a Draconian umpire is she but when you have a migraine I mean it was very very it's a very severe thing you can't see properly because you get flashing lights in front of your eyes you get and a horrific headache some some uh some people get you know terrible nausea and a very it's not a small thing it's not it's not a bad headache a migraine it shouldn't even be in the same category and I I'm just I'm not trying to give her a pass here but these are uncharacteristic errors from her aren't they no for sure maybe the exhaustion as well but hey she's still going to fight I'll tell you that different pressures on that's the only thing you haven't done to prepare for this match is have a migraine so you can you can relate to V oh that's more like it love 15 now she's gotten to a point where she actually has to play a really great point to win against swong because she's giving her nothing right now so she had to hit the line to win that that point oh w that's good just looking at our numbers for the match winners from one eight unforced erors seven completely backing up what you said not giving anything away here but still doing enough 13 15 among these days trains in uh in Beijing the capital but it's actually from naning which uh actually used to be the old capital of uh uh you know one of the old Chinese dynasty the Ming Dynasty is it it's an absolutely historic City oh 3 she just backed off the four slips splits and she sensible young woman to do that want to take that kind of risk 1 14 [Applause] is there's something for azarenko right [Applause] here oh [Applause] and as orer makes the most of her opportunity rides her lot you get the fact she's back in this third round contest [Applause] B [Applause] 15 left feel like via backed off a little bit now and let let Wong do a bit more force the issue worked in the last few points 30 love love [Applause] coming into this match on 21 occasions as a ranker had had lost the first set here at the US Open on nine of those though she was able to find a way back which is which is pretty good numbers she's drawing on all those Decades of experience right here aara on the ground coming back here couple of breaks early on in this second set aara leads two games to one second set first set one you really can never count Azarenka out even if you she loses serve she's also such a great returner that she can turn it on as the match goes and she knows exactly the moments when it's important from all those years of experience and she definitely draws on it whereas I think Wong that's where she's just not as experienced in these moments of a third round of a grand slam what makes azaran such a great returner when you know you're serving and you can see her down the end of the court she definitely stands very close to the Baseline but I think she she anticipates well and then she it's not that she hits the ball hard but she hits it deep enough where your first shot after after your sered you don't really have you can't really attack it so she neutralizes the point extremely well um but I think once she splits she's just always on the right side of things and the second serve she attacks right away which puts pressure on you in your mind even if you're making your second serve you just know you have to keep coming up with the goods e [Applause] 15 love was that one of those skips is requested they play on the right Sur genuinely think she thought she let it go almost I think she really thought it was out we're going to chalk that up as W's first day it's not going to change yeah and I don't think also the Umpire can overrule it no they can't the Call's the call from the elring can't say we're day five I will say sometimes they the machine does make mistakes but then it's obvious I don't think this one was one of those and she's not going to overall on the far line so electronic line calling live [Applause] [Music] she can't change the call but I think Azarenka wants to make sure that they were tracking they were track the tracking was correct there's 12 there's 12 cameras Hawkeye cameras around around every Court 13 love oh 13 15 [Applause] [Music] 40 15 must be frustrating when you're playing your best shot and thinking you're going to your opponent's weaker shot and and missing those points oh 14 that's what she can do her 13th winner of the afternoon Nao is going to start eyeing up another break here Ju [Applause] that's too good Advantage [Applause] AA so chance to break long for the third time in the contest take a 3-1 lead just as she did in the opening set got it back in business now and even some of the Chinese fans can appreciate the anticipation required here really thought she hit a great serve to get out of that one but be really read that apprach cross just let you know you can download the US Open net app and you can follow players you can track the scores and the stats I did it earlier in the week watch you can even watch Matt highlights and you can watch live 3D views of all singles matches oh yeah here we go fif in love just feel there's been a major momentum swing in this match from three all in the first one young Fang won five of the next games hasn't won one since three in a row for as a ranker from love one in this set yeah big [Applause] swing 13 love [Applause] [Applause] you see a tactical change up here from as I did feel like once she went a breakdown in the second she just was a bit smarter with her shot choices she didn't force the issue but still when she had a chance she really went for it [Applause] [Applause] so I think when she lets her anger out it actually she's one of those players that it helps her some players have a meltdown and it makes them play worse with via I feel like she she gets it out and and almost gets back into it with even more intensity and then resets as she did in her first match against the Ukrainian qualifi there was quite a lot of fire going on there she made her way through 14 second time already in this Championship but she's dropped the opening set [Applause] [Applause] going well singly for V Azarenka she opens up 4-1 lead now in the second set first set [Applause] one so that intensity you can really feel it from V when you're her opponent she she loves to even that come on when she broke to to look to go up 3-1 I'm sure it played in Wong's head especially when she feels like maybe it should have been to all but you can never count her out she almost thrives when when she's down and she's been in this situation so many times and and won a lot of three set matches after dropping the first set yeah there's a great quote from her and you just alluded to that she has that champion quality I mean she is a grand slam champion and I I wrote it down and she said for her being a champion is the ability to go past I can't and to stay in the moment and to never give up and she had to do that in her first couple of rounds here it can be brushed over but she was very unwell and she was in big trouble in that in that first round mat and I think we've seen it throughout her career with a lot of injuries you know going through um having young young Leo when there wasn't the fraternity rule to get back onto so she's she's she's been through a lot in her 35 years [Music] [Applause] [Applause] thank you behind the player can you have a seat thank you so there is uh different uh zones of uh movement that is allowed around the grounds but behind the players it's very much controlled at the sides it's it's a little Freer 15 [Applause] left yeah last game before we changed the balls 13 l oh 13 15 I find this to be a really important game from Wong one4 sounds scary but really it's only just one break [Applause] and laara very keen to make it too one yet to hold in this second set [Applause] 30 at her best when she got hold of mat she really never let it go she would run with it yeah she she made a great start B early in the first set but was was picked back never really recovered 13 [Applause] all of a sudden rather assured Oney fan game from earlier in the match seems to have disappeared momentarily can aarka take full advantage [Applause] fractional juice [Applause] Advantage some good defense by both players there [Applause] second chance to break here for Azarenka in this game [Applause] Ju [Applause] [Applause] [Applause] that time and that quar doesn't do any favors Advantage One have just tickled it because normally the net pings up and it's now a disadvantage come on get out of this game already has had to face a couple of break points that's easy pickings back at juice for a third time in this game juice like has a ranker down the line one of the best down the line backings in the women's game she was never going to miss that was she I when she's when she's got grandchildren when she's in her 50s and 60s she she's still going to make that isn't she in the Sunday afternoon Club doubles [Applause] Advantage [Applause] One this is a big game big game important for both 15 or 24 big difference [Applause] behaving as strangely as the on grand stand but H involved in this second [Applause] set huge times for Chinese tennis with chinan winning the Olympic goal just a few weeks ago young one young fun would have grown up in the era of watching Lina we down in Australia and and in Paris a lot of pressure on the the Next Generation but the strengthen numbers now seven in the top 100 as we mentioned right at the start of the match they all had a great deal of difficulty not so much young because she was based in in Spain but a lot of those that were based in China and it happened to many of the athletes that were getting ready for Tokyo 2020 the bat players the table tennis players they were they just weren't able to travel and that and I know she had that the mental break she probably needed that break because it had you know her career had been disrupted at a time when she was top 50 and then she just couldn't couldn't play covid restrictions were very tough on all the Chinese players but happy those times are behind all of [Applause] us always always plays with some of a frown doesn't she as her anchor she's worried about something and she's still got work yeah she's thinking hard he's got the new balls in her hand now still work to do in this second [Music] set for one just broke that run of four games against so that was absolutely vital that is a big uptick as a ranker if you want to look at what she's done a little better in this second set as opposed to the first 1 [Applause] love I always feel like that play deep down the middle is so good because you're almost neutralizing the point and saying well let's see what you're going to do and Wong just overplayed there [Applause] [Applause] back to work for Azarenka who still got her sights on her third Grand Slam title her last coming back over a decade ago back in in Melbourne where she beat Lena in the final of the Australian Open defending title from the year before we finalist here at the US Open still very much in control of this second set five games to two second set first set W attack on she [Applause] [Applause] so won serving to stay in this set nice stop 15 think she heard me it's amazing how often that happens just wonder how important that service hold that battling service ho was at trailing 41 15 all [Applause] 13 [Applause] 15 such a different scenario for both players on 30 occasions as a aner has made the second week of the slam which we call the the fourth round for Wang looking to do it for the very first time in her career oh 14 15 [Applause] G onead five games to three second set don't think Azarenka ever really found her comforts zone out here feel like she's having good moments in the match few games but don't think she quite found what she's looking for yet just still in decent shape isn't it looking to level the match now [Applause] love 15 just wonder if it's going to be one of those difficult us opens for Asar ranker because she had really struggled in her opening couple of rounds just with just with her health and could just be one of those fortn nights going be tough for play box as well with Mike and Maxine and Greg sitting there and agent McKenzie oh help [Applause] credit to her even when you're to to come through round two when you're feeling that badly on court I mean that's the mental strength that she possesses so I still think that she can do magic when when the cards are against her yeah yeah she even did a postmatch interview in sunglasses that's how ill she was feeling and had to explain why she could have just walked off the court she's interesting though as a aner I heard her talk about her first win down in Australia where she became the number one player in the world back in 2012 being sharova in that Melbourne final and she said the whole tournament she did not feel as if she was playing well she was sort of scratching about and and and she just sort of got through it she knows how to do this that's an excellent P from one fan has never given up in this second set and rewarded here [Music] 154 I think she she she feels how important this game is I think this is the most vocal she's been all match few come on closing out this second set not a simple task for the 20th seed one saved 13 14 [Applause] locking down on that Baseline juice how many times have we seen a play those kind of points high pressure point gives nothing away oh what to do Advantage One [Applause] she also made eight winners on that side as well but that's a surprisingly High number I was just thinking that yeah that's on that on that Wing their chance to break in this game what a clever point is that the route to the third set that's gutsy D she loves she just loves hitting swing volleys I I thought it c a bit low for a second but she made it [Applause] work on the tricky side wasn't it another long game in this second set once again oh can you believe [Applause] it Advantage One wow that's the sort of shot she play you know she could just fall out of bed and hit a swing volley and make it and that one seemed a bit less tricky than the other one it was just the moment another chance in this game for for yaan [Applause] de I thought that would go a bit long you've never played w f I have a feeling you are well prepared should that happen yes in your for in your upcoming tournaments [Applause] thank you you can explain the data to your coach still not fluent as a anchor out here Advantage it's a long and winding road for Azarenka since she led 4-1 in the set with points for 5-1 but she's got there in the end one point away now from leveling the contest w [Applause] the never ever gives in and she's found a way back in and she takes the second set by six games to three once at all L [Applause] 15 I think it's really important for Wong to hold here first game set the tone for the third set 15 you find no slou on the drive valy either so just as they did in Washington just a few weeks ago right at the start of this North American hardcore swing they're going to go the distance very different match time W having to come down from the set behind for [Applause] that was an amazing by both we also underestimated how physical this match has been two sets an hour and 51 [Applause] wow matches are getting longer on the tour both the men's and the women's side this is a really aggressive start to the third from 14 it was only going the distance that you looking for the fourth time [Music] just on one occasion has she wanted deciding set here in New York as a Rinker 13 and8 40 30 of the match been for sparing that department as aner a clean sheet so far I'm safe to say that well Asar ranker is not serving because you'll find out in the commentary box that as soon as you mention someone hasn't done a double fault for the whole match what do they do that is excellent fabulous start for one right at the beginning of this third set first game final set currently ranked at 80 in the world 61 in terms of points won this year is this a performance person 80 in the world absolutely not not at all and I I've noticed with Wong this year she's played some matches where I definitely don't think it mirrored her ranking I would say this as well inide top 40 tennis rather pleasant day here at flashing me no need for the for the ice tows which we getting full use just a few days ago it's incredible the temperature and and the the change of conditions you don't really get a chance to prepare for it at all oh see love did it shouldn't we jinxed we shouldn't have started talking about it what do you think you we'll see from aara the next few games here I I was just thinking that you know I think she maybe feels a bit like she should win this match and and she's just been a little tentative in this [Applause] law 1 just wonder they just feels so much more on it for aara 35 years old how many more us opens as she has she got in the tank now well played while making a move here she really freed up in the last two games could be trouble for [Applause] Azarenka I think mentally W looking for career best Grand Slam result has a bit of pepper step and and in a way nothing to lose where a aanka does feel like she should win this [Applause] match 15 [Applause] 14 big moments in the match just about to head into its third hour as the sun just finds its way between the clouds first Shadows the C of the afternoon she's made it my goodness 1 [Applause] 40 still break point [Applause] she feels she feels it was long G one that call isn't going to change and aara broken right at the start of the third set as she was in the second again going have to find her way back [Applause] fin it's been a match of some really big momentum changes a very different pressure Dynamic for for Wang trying to make the fourth round of a slam for the first time in her career at the age of 30 F in love how did she get find her way back you you know it's as simple as just having to cut down on the Earths because that you you if Wong's going to win it make her win it make her play quality just nothing for free niely done and one her nerve here 30 love just feel that as aank has really rattled just with also her behavior after points she loses just quite negative I don't think she's got time for that at this stage oh 15 oh no got the shot she wanted just credit to long for 14 15 for defending well making Bea hit an extra [Applause] shot eases to three love in this final set games love final set we've talked a lot about uh be ASA because you practice with it you know really well and one find is a little unfamiliar to you but if you were to go and play in a couple of week's time how would you how would you approach how how do you approach this player I I think I would really try to attack her second serve I think that's not a weakness but something I feel like it's my strength attacking second serves and I think that would put it in her mind that she has to force her serves more hopefully get more errors there um but I would really try to attack that backhand side and and be aggressive with that matchup because I like my backand and and I think that would work for me and you got to mix it in with the forand as well but I would focus more on that side um the thing with Yan I think is you have to get her to feel like she has to do more than she needs right now she feels really settle into this match she's clear on her targets and having a good shape on her but you just need to get her to a place where she's kind of unsure of what her game plan is and in order to do that just play a bit more within yourself and and aggressive towards that back inside [Applause] he she's on fire she can see that spoil in the fourth round of the second week of Slam for the first time as we head into the Labor Day weekend serve into into the forand into the backand second shot come on a voice of Greg retki see if she rides to orders here [Applause] [Applause] another of those near misses and we were talking about the change of vers about if you were playing yeah find you've got quite a similar game to as aank you would be going a lot more at the back hand has she done that enough for you out here this afternoon I think she could have done it more um and the times she has I will say in the second set or or actually early in the third yafan has responded well hasn't given her an error but just got to stick with it because that is on paper the right way to play she's in big big trouble here now at love 30 in this game oh take it I was thinking Yan would maybe start thinking about it a little bit get the nerves going but she's been really really impressive huge amount of Chinese fans uh around this Grand standin Court which at this ball in the Southeastern corner of the grounds what an opportunity now for her G one it's another break as a ranker just hanging on here in this final set four games to love final set I would a quote from Wong and she said that she stopped putting so much emphasis on winning and losing because win or lose her life stays the same not much changes so just a more relaxed approach definitely working for her here don't forget you can stay connected to the US Open on Facebook Facebook X Instagram Tik Tok YouTube and WhatsApp goodness me and join the conversation with # [Applause] usopen perfect play [Applause] 15 as you mentioned she's had a good run in here through uh even pushing as a ranker in Washington she lost in three sets and it was almost what two hour three hours there just a few weeks ago great running in Toronto and Canada 13 left qualify C he beat Sara Rani who's back in form on the Olympic gold and bronze in Paris and then took a set off S led by a said against falina numbers looking very good in the decider here 14 L [Music] [Applause] well if her heart is racing she's not showing too much is she this is such a a big moment in her [Applause] career 14 15 [Applause] on 14 13 it's a better Point by vka also aside from going to Yan's backand I think it's also important just to do what as aanka does well which is her strength back in line just like she did there these top players they they never give it away do they 40 back to love excuse me like to choose [Applause] [Music] [Music] our advantage aena [Applause] she can she find something here she get the numbers going her way [Music] she's not going away she is every inch a grand slam champion and she gives herself a Lifeline in this final set wug Le four games to one final set I'm excited to see how Wong responds it's really fun up here is it it's fun from this side it's really fun how does how did the champ you've been so close to you've beaten many how did the Champions do it though when yeah she's not been at her best today it's been patchy and just at the moment you think well she's done this is over she she comes up with you know a a spectacular recovery that's really when they're the most dangerous especially when all the the everything's against them they're down in the score they come up with something I think you almost can't explain what they've got it's just a quality I think you're a bit born with just you find a way you bring your best when it matters the most and and she might still lose this match but you know that she will like if W wins this she will deservedly have to beat aarka not by aara giving anything away I just I've always wondered watching them for so many years if they're just able just up there intensity and narrow their focus in the big moments without being conscious of it it just happens we shall see this is a this is a goodie what a great final set [Applause] oh yes F in love 13 left quickly things can change just the one break no w makes the spell moment 15 really composed 30 [Applause] on such a good mentality Wong all match just shortterm memory [Applause] you ever seen a Miss quite so many drive volleys that might just be 14 one too many I feel like she was a bit tentative even going in I I I feel like she could have gone a bit faster and and been closer to the net but still credit to her for for wanting to go forward more trouble here for former three-time finalist wait please no yeah okay one now one game away from a place in the fourth round W Le five games to one final set we wondered how she would handle this [Applause] situation that was impressive from love 30 sorry 30 love to break [Applause] we've seen Azarenka do some incredible things over the years over the almost two decades she's been out there on the [Applause] tour midafternoon local time here at flashing Meadow much well an excess of 2 hours what an opportunity from for China's one y fan perfectly 15 love really smart tennis from one just seeing seeing the game so clearly attacking drop shot where she been hiding all these I have to say I have no idea she had these kind of skills 1 love not just inin the game though that's been the composure trying to break new ground here fourth round very first time in her [Applause] career 14 love exactly two 2 hours and 20 minutes the unseeded one is at match [Music] point oh [Applause] 45 and rank is not going to give it to her that is the unwritten law of the Champions out there on tour second match point 14 13 wonder if she thought about it a few times she it's already in the fourth round [Applause] she breaks new ground now she can celebrate another big upset in the women's draw and Yan into the fourth round of a grand slam for the first time at the age of 30 it has been a very very long wait and