December is the downtime of the tennis season, when players train for the New Year that dawns Down Under at the Australian Open and observers dream of the adrenaline rush rivalries can produce. Compelling rivalries can be the tennis equivalent of a film franchise that continues to crank out successful sequels. Competitive character, contrasting styles and personalities, and the daring to strike under pressure can all conspire to push the plotline of a match in adventurous directions. Blockbuster rivalries pulsate with stars the world knows on a first-name basis: Rafa vs. Novak and Serena vs. Vika. Engaging rivalries can create a euphoric buzz and the craving for rematch. We’re rooting for four potential rivalries in particular -- two featuring Top 10 players and two between players with Top-10 potential -- to flourish in 2014. [+] EnlargeVictoria Azarenka Al Bello/Getty Images Victoria Azarenkas strong return could make for fun tennis against Petra Kvitovas big serve. No. 2 Victoria Azarenka vs. No. 6 Petra Kvitova Head-to-head: Kvitova leads 4-2 These aggressive baseliners both arrived at the 2012 Australian Open semifinals with a shot to seize the world No. 1 ranking, and while Azarenka won the title to secure the top spot then defended her Melbourne crown last January, Kvitova has been busy battling health and consistency issues. Surprisingly, these two Grand Slam champions have not faced off since Kvitova defeated Azarenka, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3, in the 2011 WTA Championships final. This matchup intrigues because it features two immaculate ball strikers who can dictate play from the baseline. It pits Azarenka’s sniper return against the left-handed Kvitova’s sometime lethal serve. In 2013, Azarenka led the WTA in return games won (54.8 percent), while Kvitova was third on Tour in aces (250). Three of their six meetings have come in Grand Slam tournaments and though the 6-foot Kvitova can be more explosive, the 6-foot Azarenka is usually more exact. Azarenka is a more ruthless front-runner, a more tenacious competitor, she’s won more titles (17 to 11) and has reached at least the semifinals of all four majors. But Kvitova possesses more variety, is comfortable from all areas of the court and can be more dangerous on all surfaces: She’s won titles on hard court, grass and clay. The Czech can be streaky and prone to the mid-match malaise, though. Kvitova must compete with more consistency and play more efficiently in early rounds to reignite this rivalry. She played 37 three-setters in 2013, while the more commanding Azarenka went the distance just 15 times last season. An encouraging sign for Kvitova: She was 10-1 in her final 11 three-setters of the season and reached at least the semifinals in four of her final five tournaments, including the WTA Championships. No. 11 Simona Halep vs. No. 12 Sloane Stephens Head-to-head: Stephens leads 2-1 Remember when some insisted the retirements of Martina Hingis and Justine Henin marked the end of women shorter than 5-10 winning Grand Slam singles titles and the start of the WTAs amazon age? Toss the tape measure aside and try this fact on: Since the 5-9 Serena Williams won the 2009 Australian Open, 16 of the last 20 Grand Slam titles have been won by women standing 5-9 or shorter. The success of Halep and Stephens reinforces the fact that timing, technique, court coverage and all-surface acumen still matter more than size. The 5-6 Halep rocketed up the rankings from No. 47 at the end of 2012 to a year-end rank of No. 11 in 2013, earning WTA Most Improved Player of the Year honors. The 5-7 Stephens showed flashes of elite form, knocking off a hobbled Serena to reach the Australian Open semifinals and advancing to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, losing to eventual-champion Marion Bartoli. Both are bound for the Top 10, and each exhibits what the other aspires to achieve. Halep was at her best in WTA tournaments -- winning six titles on three different surfaces -- but was underwhelming in Grand Slam play, losing in the opening round of both the Australian Open (to Stephens) and Roland Garros. Stephens has played her most inspired tennis in Grand Slam tournaments, but can look downright disengaged in WTA events: The 20-year-old American has yet to reach a WTA final. Both can crack the first serve and both concluded 2013 parting with coaches: Halep split from Adrian Marcu and Stephens, who had been coached by the USTAs David Nainkin, is now working with Paul Annacone, who formerly coached Roger Federer, Tim Henman and Pete Sampras. Halep has shown a sharper court sense and competitive instinct, but Stephens, one of the fastest women in the game, may have a higher upside if she can clearly define her style and play with more passion
Posted on: Fri, 31 Jan 2014 20:00:09 +0000
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