Victoria Azarenka makes her way into the season-end finale at Istanbul – Tennis News
Reigning world number one, Victoria Azarenka, is into the semi-finals of the US Open Championship at New York and she will be facing the third seed Russian blonde, Maria Sharapova, for a grand finale spot. However, the cracking
performance from the 23-year-old Belarusian superstar throughout the year has guaranteed her the place in the season-end Championship at Istanbul.
The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships was contested for the first time in the last year and it was won by the Czech superstar, Petra Kvitova, who stepped aside the reigning Australian Open Champion in the final. However, things
look different this time around especially with the comeback of the American former world number one, Serena Williams, at the tennis courts. She has been terrific throughout the season and most probably going to qualify for the season-end Championship as well.
At the moment, only Azarenka and Sharapova are guaranteed the spot in the tournament in the singles category. On accomplishing such a marvellous milestone, the last year’s runners up stated, “This year has been amazing for me so
far; started by winning the Australian Open, becoming WTA World No.1 for the first time and winning two medals at the Olympics. Last year, the atmosphere at the WTA Championships in Istanbul was great and I look forward to playing there again."
It has been a wonderful year for Azarenka who started off with a flier winning 26 matches on the trot that yielded her four Women Tennis Association titles as well as listed her amongst the second best season starting athletes
after the majestic 37-0 commencement in 1997 from the former world number one, Martina Hingis.
Everything went her way before the big booming American superstar, Serena Williams, took the glory away in the Wimbledon Championships and has been invincible ever since losing just two out of her 40 odd matches.
Women Tennis Association Chairman and Chief Executive Office, Stacey Allaster, congratulated the named athletes on qualifying for the Championship at Istanbul and stated “I congratulate Victoria, Maria, Sara and Roberta on becoming
the first players to secure their places at the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships – Istanbul. Maria and Victoria have had outstanding seasons with each earning Grand Slam titles, the WTA World No.1 ranking and Olympic medals, highlighted by Maria achieving
her career Grand Slam.”
The Italian duo of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci are also the first doubles team to qualify for the tournament in Istanbul.
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