Venus Williams became just the second woman in the history of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships on Saturday to retain the title when she defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 7-5.
The finale to a spectacular week of tennis was a thriller that kept the crowd on the edge of their seat as the defending champion struggled to close out the first set and then keep control of the second.
“It was definitely very competitive,” said Williams. “I expected her to come out and play very well. Of course, I respect her game. Just the effort that she gives into it. Even though I was leading in the second set, she just never gave up. So she played really well. Obviously happy to close the tournament out.”
As well as Azarenka played, Williams was able to do everything a little better.
“Obviously, my serve is a big advantage for me,” she said. “I think I get a lot of balls back. That helps! I think off the ground she’s very strong and consistent, but I think I’m probably a little stronger than her, so that helps me to control the point. I think she does everything well, but there’s a few things, obviously the strength that helps me.”
Nuria Llagostera Vives and Maria Martinez Sanchez won the women’s doubles title also on Saturday after beating Kveta Peschke and Katerina Srebotnik in two sets 7-6(5), 6-4.
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!! Venus