Azarenka sees off Serena in final
Monday, 6 April 2009
Victoria Azarenka claimed the biggest win of her career as she defeated five-time champion and world number one Serena Williams in the Miami final.
The 19-year-old Belarusian won the Sony Ericsson Open 6-3 6-1 as Williams, playing with heavy strapping on her left leg, struggled physically.
Azarenka, the world number 10, won four straight games to take the first set.
And the teenager sealed her first win over Williams in three meetings as the American faded badly in the second.
"It was a little difficult moving to the left and a little bit to the right. A little forward was also difficult," a smiling Williams said afterwards.
The victorious Azarenka said: "You could see the leg tape right away, but I wasn't really paying attention too much because I had to play my game and I had to keep her moving as much as I could."
Azarenka has made steady progress over the last couple of years to her current high of number 10 in the world but has yet to get past the fourth round of a Grand Slam - making this the biggest match of her career to date. -BBC
The 19-year-old Belarusian won the Sony Ericsson Open 6-3 6-1 as Williams, playing with heavy strapping on her left leg, struggled physically.
Azarenka, the world number 10, won four straight games to take the first set.
And the teenager sealed her first win over Williams in three meetings as the American faded badly in the second.
"It was a little difficult moving to the left and a little bit to the right. A little forward was also difficult," a smiling Williams said afterwards.
The victorious Azarenka said: "You could see the leg tape right away, but I wasn't really paying attention too much because I had to play my game and I had to keep her moving as much as I could."
Azarenka has made steady progress over the last couple of years to her current high of number 10 in the world but has yet to get past the fourth round of a Grand Slam - making this the biggest match of her career to date. -BBC