Serena Blasts Sharapova to Face Azarenka in Brisbane Finals
January 3, 2014 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Adam Wolfthal
World number one Serena Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 6-2, 7-6(7) in the Brisbane International women’s semifinals for a trip to the finals against world number two Victoria Azarenka. With the win, Serena extended her winning streak over Sharapova to14th consecutive victories. After blowing two match points in the tie-breaker—one on her serve and another receiving—Serena sealed the win with an ace.
Azarenka survived a scare against former world number one Jelena Jankovic to claim a spot in the finals, but eventually pulled through with the 1-6 6-3 6-4 win.
“I think we can look at it as a struggle, but I don’t think that was a struggle. I think Jelena played really, really well in the first set,” Azarenka said. "I think the whole actually game from the beginning was kind of a changing moment. Even though it was Love‑40, I felt like I went for the shots that I had to and I started to believe that that was the right play.”
Serena owns a 13-3 lifetime series edge over Azarenka, They played four times in 2013—all in tournament finals—with Serena winning three times, including a three-set win at the U.S. Open in September. In 2013, Serna won 11 titles overall, two Grand Slams and more than $12 million in prize money.
