DOHA, Qatar – Victoria Azarenka fought through an injury and still managed to take out all 5 of her opponents last week and remained unbeaten in 2012. Continuing her streak Azarenka didn’t even lose a set en route to her third straight WTA title at the Premier-level Qatar Total Open.
Playing her first tournament as the new World No.1, Azarenka stepped it up in a big way, only losing 18 games the entire tournament. She showed her toughness as she injured her ankle during her semifinal match with No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, but still closed out that match, 6-2 6-4.
The No.1-seeded Azarenka rose again in the final against No.3 seed Samantha Stosur. After Stosur held at love to open the match, Azarenka came out with all cylinders firing, winning nine straight games to build a 6-1, 3-0 lead. Stosur held twice before Victoria finished her off 6-1, 6-2 victory.
“I think that one point at the beginning of the match really saved my butt a little bit – you know, I hit the net,” Azarenka said. “But I was trying to be really aggressive and not let her command it, because that’s what she likes to do. She has a huge serve, and the first shot, that’s where she puts the opponent on the run, and you run so far behind the baseline. I tried to take that away from her.
“It feels amazing to win this title. I have been coming here quite a few times, also for the WTA Championships, and I never even reached the final, so for me it’s extra special to win here. I really like this tournament a lot.”
When asked how her ankle was… “It’s not as bad as it could have been,” Azarenka said. “I have a couple of days to recover before Dubai and see how I feel. Right now I just want to enjoy the moment and not think ahead too much.”
Azarenka improved her perfect start to 2012 to 17-0, the best start to a season since Maria Sharapova went 18-0 to start 2008. The 22-year-old Belarusian won her 11th WTA title, improving to 11-8 in her career in WTA finals.
“For sure I’m happy with the week I’ve had,” Stosur commented. “It’s been great to turn my form around so quickly after a disappointing month first up.”As far as tonight goes, I think she played very well, very solid, as usual. She doesn’t stand up and hit 50 winners a match, but she makes you work for every point and moves very well, stays on the baseline and really takes time away from you that way. It was obviously pretty tough for me to play aggressively.
“Victoria is very good at neutralizing everything. Pace doesn’t really seem to bother her. You’ve got to find another way to win against her.”
Azarenka withdrew from Fed Cup which helped her maintain her unbeaten status. She avoided playing Serena, Venus, or even Christine McHale. Now she has withdrawn from Dubai. I’d like to know how many events Sharapova withdrew from on her way to 18 and 0. I suspect none!