Sony Ericsson Open: Victoria Azarenka Survives Marathon Match Against Cibulkova

No. 1 in the world, Victoria Azarenka, was nearly taken out in the fourth round at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. Who was the contender you ask? It was none other than Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia. The 5'3" "pocket rocket," as she is called amongst the commentators, took it to the world No. 1 without fear. Her second serves and consistency have always been an issue for her, due to her small frame, and unfortunately was the same in this match.

What was the score? Well, it was quite a stunner to be rightly honest.

1-6, 7-6(7), 7-5

I witnessed some of the most amazing "death" rallies and smart play thus far this year on the women's tour. "Death" rallies is a term I use when both of the players enter a stage in the rally where they do not give each other a millimeter and run each other ragged, but still keep the ball in play by hitting with all of their strength.

The little pocket rocket was never phased by the Belarusian as she moved Azarenka from corner to corner, hitting those fast, low, flat, deep balls in the corners and ending the point by either coming to net or putting the ball away into the open court. 

The wide forehand of Azarenka's has always been a bit of an issue for her, but since the 25-match winning streak (now 26) began, it was not plaguing her like it did before. Today, Cibulkova made it quite evident just exactly how to take it to Azarenka for those future opponents of the Belarusian.

Both opponents take the ball extremely early and almost always on the rise so it was an epic match just on those components alone.

Since Cibulkova is so small she was able to move into the court faster and take it even earlier than Azarenka in most instances. It was her consistency that kept her from winning the match. She consistently hits the ball harder and more frequently than most of the women on tour. No matter where she is in the rally, she will hit it flat and hard.

Credit has to be given to Azarenka as well for holding her own when she was down and out and kept the rallies going. It is such a shame that Cibulkova loses the big matches when she is just points away from taking the whole shebang. It will be interesting to see if Azarenka's reign survives Miami with Serena and Venus Williams still in the mix.

Next, Viktoria Azarenka plays Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals as her dominating early season continues.