That was really close! Vika won this title at the photo finish, it couldn’t really get closer than that!
Azarenka didn’t start the final really well to commit two double faults in the first game and immediately concede a break. Serena accepted the gift to wrap up the first set 6-2. Once again the quality of play wasn’t really high with the Belarus struggling with her nerves and Serena battling with her tennis.
Vika managed to improve her tennis in the second set to win 6-2. In the decider both players produced high quality tennis. After exchanging breaks a couple of times they went to a very dramatic tiebreak. On a 6-6 score line it was Vika to hold tough and play an exquisite volley on 6-6 (see hot shot below) to then triumph after Serena dropped a forehand on the net. The match ended after 2 hours and 30 minutes. Match Stats
This is Vika’s 3rd title of the season, the 17th in her career.
From Vika
“I felt like my energy wasn’t maybe there 100 per cent at the beginning but that’s what the match is about.
It goes up and down, and you battle against somebody and you have an edge or then you don’t have an edge. That’s what is exciting about that to try to take your opponent to that place where they don’t feel at their best.” Said the world no.2.
Serena: It’s a good rivalry
The American was a “gracious” loser to comment “We go against each other really tough, so I think, yeah, it’s a good rivalry. I’m number one, she’s number two so we have that rivalry which consists of meeting in the final, which makes it even more so exciting.
I personally was thinking it is a good rivalry and it’s good to have someone out there that can play hard and fight so tough.
She’s a great player. There’s a reason why she’s winning grand slams and doing so well.”
Hot Shot from Vika at the very end of the match