Azarenka Continues Perfect 2012 After Winning BNP Paribas Open
March 19, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
World number one ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus has won her fourth title of 2012 with a 6-2, 6-3 straight set win over Maria Sharapova in the finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., extending her win streak on the year to 23 consecutive victories. The Australian Open champ went on to break Sharapova’s weak service game twice in the first set and four times in the second. The match lasted just one hour and 26 min.
Azarenka was posed with some more resistance later in the second set and was able to hold back the Russian’s attempt at a comeback. Azarenka dropped her racket and ran straight to her box after improving upon her flawless record.
Martina Hingis recorded 37 straight victories to begin the 1997 campaign with Azarenka right behind her in second with 23 consecutive to date.
“I was really actually nervous before the final,” said Azarenka. “I knew Maria had played some excellent tennis this week and she’s always a very tough opponent to play. It’s amazing. I just really focused on every match at a time. I’m not thinking too much ahead.”
Sharapova, the 2006 champ at Indian Wells, dropped to a 3-5 record against Azarenka with losses in four of their last five matches.
“She’s extremely solid and she makes you work for every point,” said Sharapova. “Ultimately, she forces you to want to do a little bit more than either you should or would want to."
