October 8, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Photo credit: Kenneth B. Goldberg
Victoria Azarenka defeated Maria Sharapova in the finals of the 2012 China Open in Beijing, 6-3 6-1 in just under 90 minutes. Azarenka had won the last five hard court meetings and four of their last five finals against Sharapova coming into Sunday’s final in Beijing.
"I was doing the right things, making sure I didn’t let Maria play the game she likes, always being in control and dominating," Azarenka said. "Of course it wasn’t possible for me to do that every single point, but for the most part I was trying to keep up with her rhythm, and when I had the chance just try to step it up and be in control myself. I tried to take that opportunity and move forward."
Sharapova was seeking her first WTA title since winning the 2012 French Open now has a 27-18 WTA finals record after her loss Sunday to Azarekna.
"Victoria played a really good match—she just did many things much better than I did," Sharapova said. "I felt like when I had the chance, in situations where I had opportunities to get back in the set or in the match, I was just making errors. They were little windows, but as small as they were, I just didn’t take them. Against somebody who is number one in the world, you can’t do that.
