Azarenka retains Australian Open crown as injury wrecks Li hopes
Source: Agencies |
January 27, 2013, Sunday
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VICTORIA Azarenka overcame an often hostile crowd in Melbourne to win back-to-back Australian Open titles, beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in a dramatic final yesterday that contained a break for fireworks, two medical time-outs and a nasty fall to the court by Li.
The Chinese star first tumbled to the court after twisting her left ankle, and had it taped after falling in the fifth game of the second set.
On the first point after a 10-minute pause in the third set while fireworks boomed overhead from nearby Australia Day celebrations, Li fell over again and slammed the back of her head into the court. The 2011 French Open champion was treated immediately and had another time-out before being allowed to resume the match.
"I think I was a little bit worried when I was falling down," she said. "My head was touching the floor. For two seconds I couldn't really see anything. It was totally black.
"So when the physio come, she was like, 'Focus on my finger.' I was laughing. I was thinking, 'This is a tennis court, not like hospital'."
Azarenka, who broke down in tears and sobbed into her towel when the match ended, won five of the next six games to claim her second major title and retain the No. 1 ranking.
"Unfortunately, you have to go through some rough patches to achieve great things. That's what makes it so special for me," she said. "I went through that, and I'm still able to kiss that beautiful trophy."
The win meant that Azarenka will maintain top spot and Serena Williams, who lost in the quarterfinals, will become the new No. 2 in the rankings.
On a crisp Saturday night, a nervous Li was broken to start the match. After a double fault on the first point, Li's forehand long gave the top seed from Belarus the early lead.
The 2-hour, 40-minute match featured 16 service breaks, with Li losing her service nine times.
The capacity crowd at Rod Laver Arena was firmly behind Li, cheering loudly when she was introduced. Azarenka, meanwhile, had her errors applauded.
The chill from the crowd was a remnant of Azarenka's semifinal win over American teenager Sloane Stephens, when Azarenka was criticized for taking a questionable 10-minute medical time-out near the end of the match. She was accused of taking the time-out to compose herself after she'd wasted five match points while serving for the match against Stephens, although Azarenka said she needed the time-out because a rib injury was making it difficult for her to breathe.
The Chinese star first tumbled to the court after twisting her left ankle, and had it taped after falling in the fifth game of the second set.
On the first point after a 10-minute pause in the third set while fireworks boomed overhead from nearby Australia Day celebrations, Li fell over again and slammed the back of her head into the court. The 2011 French Open champion was treated immediately and had another time-out before being allowed to resume the match.
"I think I was a little bit worried when I was falling down," she said. "My head was touching the floor. For two seconds I couldn't really see anything. It was totally black.
"So when the physio come, she was like, 'Focus on my finger.' I was laughing. I was thinking, 'This is a tennis court, not like hospital'."
Azarenka, who broke down in tears and sobbed into her towel when the match ended, won five of the next six games to claim her second major title and retain the No. 1 ranking.
"Unfortunately, you have to go through some rough patches to achieve great things. That's what makes it so special for me," she said. "I went through that, and I'm still able to kiss that beautiful trophy."
The win meant that Azarenka will maintain top spot and Serena Williams, who lost in the quarterfinals, will become the new No. 2 in the rankings.
On a crisp Saturday night, a nervous Li was broken to start the match. After a double fault on the first point, Li's forehand long gave the top seed from Belarus the early lead.
The 2-hour, 40-minute match featured 16 service breaks, with Li losing her service nine times.
The capacity crowd at Rod Laver Arena was firmly behind Li, cheering loudly when she was introduced. Azarenka, meanwhile, had her errors applauded.
The chill from the crowd was a remnant of Azarenka's semifinal win over American teenager Sloane Stephens, when Azarenka was criticized for taking a questionable 10-minute medical time-out near the end of the match. She was accused of taking the time-out to compose herself after she'd wasted five match points while serving for the match against Stephens, although Azarenka said she needed the time-out because a rib injury was making it difficult for her to breathe.
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