Kim Clijsters, the tournament’s defending champion, opened the second set by holding serve. She then broke opponent Victoria Azarenka’s serve in four-straight points. Clijsters came out hitting with the same precision she had in the first set, but Azarenka seemed to have a lapse in momentum.
2012 Australian Open: Kim Clijsters Comes Back And Nearly Bagels Victoria Azarenka In Second Set, 6-1
With each long rally and each long rally lost by Azarenka, the crowd news grew. It might be because rumors are growing that this will be Clijsters final Australian Open or it could be that Azarenka complained about the crowd talking during points, but whatever the reason, the crowd leaned in favor of Clijsters.
At 0-2, 30-40 against Azarenka, the 22-year-old Belarusian placed her racket on top of her head and exhaled. Her frustration was starting to become visible. Clijsters took that game to give herself a 3-0 cushion in the second set. Then she had two service breaks.
And then the Belgian had a 5-0 lead. The commentators said it looked as if Azarenka had retired from attempting a comeback. She would just give the second set away.
She was able to hold onto her serve to push the match to 5-1, but it was too late. Clijsters had already settled into her rhythm. She finished off the set in the next game in four straight points to take the second set, 6-1. It took 31 minutes.
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