Victoria Azarenka is Back, Crushes Serena Williams to Win the Title

Former number 1 Victoria Azarenka from Belarus is back in her deadly form securing straight-sets victory over world number one Serena Williams to claim the BNP Paribas Open title 6-4 6-4.

This is her first title since the 2013 Australian Open at the Brisbane International in January, and added a second in 2016 with a dominant display, consigning a frustrated Williams who also lost to Angelique Kerber in Melbourne in January. This is Williams consecutive final losses for the first time since 2004.

Azarenka got an early lead of 2-0 displaying her intelligence and skills producing a brilliant ace to make up for a double-fault in her first service game. Williams was able to pull off a run to come back to 3-2, but she paid the price for a number of unforced errors 33 in total.

The Belarusian did not let up and took a 3-0 lead in the second set, with Williams' frustration evident as she subsequently smashed two racquets at a change of ends to earn a points penalty.

Williams displayed her power and determination to rally back from 5-1 and gain two break points for the opportunity to draw level in the second set. But Azarenka has another thing in her mind she recovered to serve out the match and secure a return to the top 10 in the world rankings, regaining the title she last won in 2012.

WTA: Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka Defeated Lauren Davis

Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka dispatched Lauren Davis, she will now face unseeded Brit Johanna Konta.

Azarenka split her two previous match against Davis, who once took her out with straight sets last year in Indian Wells. Azarenka was able to contain Davis on critical moments of the game last Sunday afternoon in Wuhan's new 15,000-seat Centre Court. She converted 5 of 6 break points to take the contest in just over 90 minutes.

Wimbledon 2015: Serena Williams Beat Azarenka face Sharapova in semis

Serena Williams was too strong for Victoria Azarenka as she got the win 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. It is her 17th victory over the Azarenka in 20 matches.

Williams is now two wins away from obtaining all four grand slam titles. Top seeded Williams will now face fourth seeded Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Miami Open: Victoria Azarenka Dominates Jelena Jankovic 6-1 6-1

Victoria Azarenka, a Two-time Miami Open champion (2009 and 2011) crushed Jelena Jankovic in a lopsided victory defeating Jankovic 6-1 6-1 in the 2nd round at Key Biscayne on Friday.

Both are former world number 1, and people expected that the game would be close but Azarenka has other plans he finishes the game in just 28 minutes.

Jankovic tried to pick up her game late in the match to force a 12-deuce but in the end Azarenka was able to counter.

3rd seed Simona Halep, who beat Jankovic in the Indian Wells final, almost lose in the second set against Nicole Vaidisova but was able to compose herself and take the game into the third round. She defeated Nicole Vaidisova 6-4, 2-6, 6-1 in a back-and-forth affair.

US Open final: Men's Rafael Nadal(2) vs Novak Djokovic (1), Women's Victoria Azarenka (2) vs Serena Williams (1)

Rafael Nadal has an easy time going into the US Open final with a 21-match hardcourt unbeaten streak while world number one Novak Djokovic had to withstand a five-set, limit-testing struggle to join him.

Second-ranked Spaniard Nadal, whose 12 Grand Slam titles include the 2010 US Open, routed French eighth seed Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-6 (7/1), 6-2, to reach his third final in four years. Nadal missed the 2012 event with knee injuries.

 

While in Women's, World number one Serena Williams 31, will try to capture her 17th Grand Slam title and become the oldest women's champion in US Open history in a repeat of last year's final which she won in three sets. She will be against familiar foe world number two Victoria Azarenka on Sunday.

Azarenka, a 24-year-old from Belarus, sees herself as a more versatile and dangerous player than when she lost to Williams 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 in the final a year ago.

Williams VS Sharapova

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Serena Williams decimated Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the final of the WTA Championships last Saturday. Williams was unstoppable with a 6-2 6-1 victory and she will be up against Maria Sharapova in the finals.

Sharapova beat Victoria Azarenka, who will finish the year as No.1 in the rankings, with similar ease 6-4 6-2.

Williams has yet to drop a set in the showpiece tournament while Sharapova has only conceded one set.

Sharapova went into her match with Azarenka having lost four of their five meetings this year, including losing to her in three finals, but looked much fresher on Saturday inside the Sinan Erdem arena.

Azarenka, who had sealed the year-end number one ranking by advancing to the semi-finals, lacked her normal power and foot speed and was no match for Sharapova who broke the Belarussian's serve twice in the first set with some vicious returns.

The four-times grand slam champion raced out to 4-0 lead in the second set, fought tooth and nail to win a 24-point game to go ahead 5-1, and then easily held to win the match.
"I give Maria all the credit. She played really well," Azarenka said. "Could I play better? Yeah, I could have moved better for sure. But I have no regrets. I finished the first time a loss with a smile."

Sharapova has advanced to the WTA Championships final for the first time since 2007. She won her sole title at the event in 2004 when she beat Williams, which is the last time she beat the American.

source yahoo

Serena Williams beats Victoria Azarenka to win US Open

NEW YORK – Serena Williams defeats Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, in the championship match at the 2012 US Open tennis tournament, Sunday, Sept. 9, 2012, in New York.

Two points from defeat, Williams suddenly regained her composure and her strokes, coming back to win the last four games and beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday night for her fourth championship at Flushing Meadows and 15th Grand Slam title overall.