Azarenka Wins Western & Southern Open Over Serena
Victoria Azarenka defeated world number one Serena Williams to capture the 2013 Western & Southern Open trophy on Sunday. It took her three sets to take down Serena 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6). The players traded 6-2 sets, and the last set was a battle to the end. By winning the match, Azarenka prevented Serena from winning her first W&S Open.
"Obviously, a big win. It was a great match," Azarenka said. "Really, really pleased with the way I pulled it out. It was a great battle. There were no giveaways. It was pure fight."
Cincinnati is one of the biggest tournaments on the tour, outside of the Grand Slam events, and it is one accomplishment that Serena does not have. This is Azarenka’s third win out of 15 matches against Serena. Serena had an opportunity to reach a few milestones in her career, but they are unfortunately still out of her reach, for now. A win at Cincinnati could have put her in 7th place tied with Virginia Wade and Lindsay Davenport on the career wins list. Azarenka was able to pull through and beat Serena to win her third title of 2013.
"We go against each other really tough, so I think, yeah, it’s a good rivalry," said Serena. "I’m number one, she’s number two so we have that rivalry which consists of meeting in the final, which makes it even more so exciting."
In Azarenka’s semifinal match against Jelena Jankovic, she only held her serve three times, and then against Serena, Azarenka double faulted to give Serena the opening game. Serena broke again to go up 4-1, leaving Azarenka angered at her own level of play.
"I felt like my energy wasn’t maybe there 100 percent at the beginning but that’s what the match is about," said Azarenka. "It goes up and down, and you battle against somebody and you have an edge or then you don’t have an edge. That’s what is exciting about that to try to take your opponent to that place where they don’t feel at their best."
Tables turned in the second set when Azarenka took control and broke Serena three times to take the set. The third set was filled with the drama and level of play that was expected from the two top players in the world. Azarenka won the match when Serena made an uncharacteristic forehand error.
