Azarenka captures Stanford Classic
Source: Agencies |
August 3, 2010, Tuesday
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VICTORIA Azarenka beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to win the Bank of the West Classic in Stanford her first title of the season.
Azarenka, who earned US$107,000 for her win, beat Sharapova for the first time in three years and the first time on hard court. They have split four career meetings. "This is one of the best, definitely," said the young Belarusian. "I'm really excited to compete with so many great players. It's exciting to go out and show my spirit."
After the final point, Azarenka dropped her racket, covered her eyes and walked slowly to the net to shake hands with Sharapova. She went over to hug her coach and returned to the court to acknowledge the crowd.
It was a subdued reaction, although she smiled all the way through the awards ceremony and her press conference. "I try to dig myself into the court," he said. "I'm changing my game so as not to have the same patterns all the time. The most important thing is to be thinking on the court."
Azarenka's 21st birthday was on Saturday and she wanted to delay any celebration until after the tournament. She's not holding back now.
"I want to see my friends and family if I have time," said Azarenka, who yesterday pulled out of next week's tournament in San Diego. "I want a cake. I want some ice cream, something beside cinnamon.
"I tried to start aggressive right away and not let her come in," Azarenka said of Sharapova. "When she gets on a roll it's hard to keep up. I had to be on top of her every moment and not give her the chance to come back."
Return game
She won 6 of 11 break points and was again effective with her return game, winning 57 percent of her total return points, including 12 of 15 on second return points.
"She's one of the most consistent," Sharapova said of Azarenka's return game. "She gets a lot of balls back and every ball is heavy."
Azarenka, who won her fourth career title, moved up the world ranking - No. 12. Sharapova, who was looking to become the first woman with three titles this year, rises to No. 13.
"She's been in the top 10 and has had some great wins in her career already," Sharapova said.
"I started making unforced errors off her returns and she stepped it up, took advantage and started to get on a roll."
In Los Angeles, Sam Querrey's first victory over Andy Murray in five attempts has embellished the big-serving American's impressive credentials and marked him out as a likely top-10 player in the future.
The 22-year-old American came from a set down to upset the British world No. 4 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 in the Farmers Classic on Sunday, earning him his fourth ATP title of the season.
Only top-ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal, with five, has won more tournaments on the circuit this year although Querrey is the sole player to have triumphed on three different surfaces.
Azarenka, who earned US$107,000 for her win, beat Sharapova for the first time in three years and the first time on hard court. They have split four career meetings. "This is one of the best, definitely," said the young Belarusian. "I'm really excited to compete with so many great players. It's exciting to go out and show my spirit."
After the final point, Azarenka dropped her racket, covered her eyes and walked slowly to the net to shake hands with Sharapova. She went over to hug her coach and returned to the court to acknowledge the crowd.
It was a subdued reaction, although she smiled all the way through the awards ceremony and her press conference. "I try to dig myself into the court," he said. "I'm changing my game so as not to have the same patterns all the time. The most important thing is to be thinking on the court."
Azarenka's 21st birthday was on Saturday and she wanted to delay any celebration until after the tournament. She's not holding back now.
"I want to see my friends and family if I have time," said Azarenka, who yesterday pulled out of next week's tournament in San Diego. "I want a cake. I want some ice cream, something beside cinnamon.
"I tried to start aggressive right away and not let her come in," Azarenka said of Sharapova. "When she gets on a roll it's hard to keep up. I had to be on top of her every moment and not give her the chance to come back."
Return game
She won 6 of 11 break points and was again effective with her return game, winning 57 percent of her total return points, including 12 of 15 on second return points.
"She's one of the most consistent," Sharapova said of Azarenka's return game. "She gets a lot of balls back and every ball is heavy."
Azarenka, who won her fourth career title, moved up the world ranking - No. 12. Sharapova, who was looking to become the first woman with three titles this year, rises to No. 13.
"She's been in the top 10 and has had some great wins in her career already," Sharapova said.
"I started making unforced errors off her returns and she stepped it up, took advantage and started to get on a roll."
In Los Angeles, Sam Querrey's first victory over Andy Murray in five attempts has embellished the big-serving American's impressive credentials and marked him out as a likely top-10 player in the future.
The 22-year-old American came from a set down to upset the British world No. 4 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 in the Farmers Classic on Sunday, earning him his fourth ATP title of the season.
Only top-ranked Spaniard Rafael Nadal, with five, has won more tournaments on the circuit this year although Querrey is the sole player to have triumphed on three different surfaces.
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