Victoria Azarenka topples Maria Sharapova to lift the title – BNP Paribas Open 2012
In an epic encounter between the top two stars of the women’s tennis, Victoria Azarenka conquered Russia’s Maria Sharapova in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open 2012 on Sunday night. She jolted down a 6-2, 6-3 victory over the world number two to not
only claim the title but also extend her winning streak to 23-0 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
The world number one showed flawless performance and crushed the Sharapova in almost one and half hour in their eighth outing. As a result, Azarenka not only the stole the show at this WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) Premier Mandatory event but also extended
her lead in the head-to-head series by 5-3 against the 24-year-old.
"I never really heard much about her before this year and now I have to play her every tournament!" the blooming Belarusian said after the match. "She really stepped it up and showed incredible strokes and serves. All the credit to her. It was survival."
Azarenka thundered into the Indian Wells hard courts and drew the first blood in the opening game, eventually jumping to a 2-0 lead. She then maintained her intensity and not only held remaining serves but broke the Russian’s serve once more in the seventh
game, ultimately pocketing the match by winning six games to two.
The 22-year-old kept momentum rolling into the following set and winded up the opening three games in a row. She then exchanged two serve breaks and subsequently pulled out the victory with a 6-3 score line.
Overall, Azarenka ruled throughout her battle against the three-time Grand Slam champion. She sought 12 break opportunities and regardless of clobbering a lower first share, the Belarusian number one spectacularly marked 22 out of 31 points on it to earn
limelight.
The former world number one, Sharapova had a chance to avenge her loss at the final round of Australian Open earlier this season. However, she squandered it and bowed out to the unstoppable Belarusian.
"Victoria is extremely solid and makes you work for every point," Sharapova was quoted. "She's really fit, as well, and you can sense she's playing with a lot of confidence when she's moving around the court and hitting the ball.”
Azarenka, who climbed to the top spot at the WTA ranking after grabbing her maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne, is eyeing to beat Martina Hingis record of 37-0 to the start of the season. She is next scheduled at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
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