Azarenka Captures Qatar Open Title With Rare Win Over Serena
February 18, 2013 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Outgoing world number one Victoria Azarenka defeated Serena Williams 7-6, 2-6, 6-3 to win the 2013 Qatar Open on Sunday. Serena replaced Azarenka on top of the WTA Women’s Singles Rankings, but the American’s hopes of capping off a memorable week with a 48th singles title were crushed by Azarenka who extended her 2013 record to 14-0.
"It’s amazing to have achieved what I have achieved," said Azarenka. "I just wanted to fight and give myself every opportunity to get back. I told myself ‘you have to keep it together, you have to do something otherwise Serena’s on a roll and she’s going to bring her A-game’."
Azarenka had not beaten Serena since 2009 in Miami at the Sony Ericsson Open, and had a 1-11 record against Serena going into Sunday’s final. Serena praised Azarenka’s performance, but insisted she still wasn’t at her best. Struggling at times with a cold and still nursing a right ankle injury that bothered her at the Australian Open, Serena appeared sluggish in early-round matches and needed three sets to beat Petra Kvitova in the quarterfinals. She made 48 errors against Azarenka and only converted three of her seven break points.
"It’s been great," Serena said. "It was a good match overall. Victoria played really well and did a great job."
