Victoria Azarenka wishes to be a super woman after her first loss of the season – Tennis Special
World number one, Victoria Azarenka, suffered her first loss of the season at the hands of the seventh seed, Marion Bartoli, in the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open 2012. As a result, she snapped out from a 26-match winning streak and squandered
her chance of breaking Martina Hingis record of 37-0 from the start of the 1997 circuit.
The Belarusian number one was disappointed after she bowed out to Bartoli in the final eight at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park.
“I feel disappointed, sure,” the Belarusian was quoted after bearing her first loss of the year. “But, you know, what I’ve done in the last couple of months, I have to be really proud of myself. For sure, you know, I could have maybe played better today,
that’s for sure, but I gave it all I had. It was just not possible. You know, I’m a human, not a super woman, and I wish I could be but I’m not.”
Azarenka also praised the French number one’s performance by commenting, “But, you know, Marion really played really well today, and she deserves the win.”
The jubilant Belarusian blasted into the 2012 season and after outclassing three seeded opponents, she conquered Apia International Sydney (dumped the reigning French Open titlist Na Li in the final round).
Azarenka maintained her intensity at the Australian Open and after tumbling over the likes of Agnieszka Radwanska, Kim Clijsters and Maria Sharapova, she claimed her first Grand Slam title and secured the top rank at the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association)
Premier Rankings.
She kept her spark lit at the Qatar Ladies Open (crushed Samantha Stosur with a breadstick) and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells (dumped Sharapova in the final showdown) before entering Miami.
The Belarusian high-spiritedly entered Key Biscayne and eased past Michaella Krajicek and Heather Watson in straight sets to reach the pre-quarters. She was trailing 1-6, 0-4 when she rebounded to overpower Dominika Cibulkova and not only extended her perfect
season to 26-0 but also entered the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open.
In the epic clash between Azarenka and the French, the Belarusian had the edge as she was leading 8-2 in their head-to-head series. However, fatigue factor and nonstop tennis playing led her submit to Bartoli with a 3-6, 3-6 shock. She cashed in three out
of 10 break opportunities but was broken down six times, ultimately enduring the defeat and ending her perfect season. The Belarusian had a better first serve share but availed only 17 out of 35 points on it.
The 22-year-old is now taking rest from tennis and will skip some tournaments in order to gear up for the clay season. She is looking forward to return and recreate her magic at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open in May. Azarenka made a title-round berth last
year at this clay court event (fell to Czech number one Petra Kvitova). She is eyeing to rule fifth tournament of the season there.
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