After beating Sharapova, Azarenka looks to U.S Open
Just a day after turning 21, Victoria Azarenka of Belarussia has scored a major win in Stanford, California, beating Maria Sharapova in the Bank of the West Classic final with a score of 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday. This was the first WTA tour title of the season for the Belarusian, who is now seeded at world number 12 following her victory.
US Open lead up
Following her win over Sharapova at the Bank of the West Classic, Azarenka aims towards a singles title at the upcoming US Open. She has put in a fair amount of play this season, seeming to be in top shape as she vies for a hard-court victory that has eluded her thus far.
During her match against Sharapova, Azarenka was able to break serve four times in the first set, eventually being able to take the lead in order to race towards a match victory in just one hour and 28 minutes. Her tournament title in Stanford will undoubtedly solidify her aims towards success at the US Open. Following her win over Sharapova, Azerenka said:
"It just brings me so much confidence and passion, especially before the US Open. I'm glad I'm picking up my form and gaining so much confidence.”
Not one to shy away from the baseline, Azarenka has an excellent first serve percentage. Her groundstroke’s are precise and aggressive, and she has an ability to overpower the strongest of players, as evidenced by her commanding victory over Sharapova on Sunday.
"Maria is a great player. I had to dig my way in, I was running a lot. It was tough to hold my serve. I had to play really well - I'm glad I kept fighting. Point by point it worked for me."
Focusing on the point at hand has seemed to be a great strategy for Azarenka, especially when playing against world-class players such as Sharapova.
Azarenka shows mental resilience
Although Sharapova was not in her best form, she did play well against the 21- year-old Belarussian, giving her a fierce challenge in the first set when she refused to be broken. Azarenka’s determination in the first set against Sharapova speaks to the strength of her mental focus and concentration. It took Azarenka almost a full hour to break Sharapova’s serve in the opening set, after which she hammered through the second set in under half an hour.
Azarenka has now built up her confidence in her ability to overtake the most powerful of players, beating out the likes of Samantha Stosur and Marion Bartoli to advance to the final at Stanford. Her chance to advance into the final at the US Open are as good as any at this point, provided she stay free of injuries and maintain her focus while being down a set in the match. She will face the likes of Serena and Venus Williams, Kim Clijsters, and Jelena Jankovic if she is to move forward to the silver trophy at the US Open this year.
Background
Azarenka was born in Belarus on 31 July, 1989, and began her professional tennis career upon moving to Minsk.
Azarenka has two Grand Slam victories to her name, winning in the mixed doubles with Max Miry at the 2007 US Open, and again with Bob Bryan at the 2008 French Open.
The 21-year-old is known for her feisty court presence, with a tendency to become aggressive when things are not going according to plan. She has also been criticized for her overly vocal outbursts, which critics claim distract her opponents unnecessarily.
Azarenka holds a career winning record of 189-87. She has claimed four WTA singles titles, and has held a ranking as high as number 6 in the world. She has made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 2009, at the 2009 French Open, and the Australian Open earlier this year, only reaching the fourth round on the US Open hard court back in 2007.
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