Superb Serena starts year in style
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World No. 1 Serena Williams stamped herself as favorite for the Australian Open after she beat Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Brisbane International yesterday in Australia.
In what could be a dress rehearsal for the Australian Open, Williams won a close first set then edged Azarenka in the second to win 6-4, 7-5.
Williams, the defending champion in Brisbane, just shaded Azarenka throughout, with her powerful serve proving the main difference between the world’s two top players.
Williams broke Azarenka once in the first set. Although she lost her serve twice in the second, she broke Azarenka three times to seal a victory.
The win was Williams’ 14th over Azarenka in 17 meetings, and stamps her as the player to beat in Melbourne later this month.
Williams had four testing matches in Brisbane, against Andrea Petkovic, Dominika Cibulkova, Maria Sharapova and Azarenka, and said the tournament was perfect preparation for the Australian Open.
“It was a great test, it showed me where my level was, and I feel like I definitely have some room for improvement and things that I want to improve on going into Melbourne,” she said.
Williams added this win would mean little if they were to meet again in the Australian Open final.
On the men’s side, Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt earned three-set victories to set up a meeting in today’s final.
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