Azarenka down Li to claim Sydney International title

Michelle Payne January 14, 2012 0

Azarenka down Li to claim Sydney International title

SYDNEY: Victoria Azarenka exhibited never-say-die attitude on Friday to end a two-year reign of Li Na at the Sydney International as she defeated her Chinese opponent in a hard-fought three-set final.

With this title, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who was seeded third at the Sydney International, has won nine titles in her WTA career.

All the three sets proved one-sided where Azarenka won the first set comfortably by 6-2 before French Open champion Li Na bounced back remarkably to outshine her Belarusian opponent by 6-1. Azarenka showed great attitude and form in the third set to dislodge Li Na by 6-3 to end her dominance at the Sydney International.

The match which lasted for an hour and 56 minutes at Ken Rosewall Arena proved a thriller where spectators got to witness the best tennis product at display.

Victoria Azarenka, who is third in the WTA Rankings after Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark and Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic, was up for something big this time as she ended a nine-match winning streak of the French Open champion who won the title last year by defeating Kim Clijsters.

With Australian Open starting from Monday in Melbourne, Victoria Azarenka is looking in great shape as she registered victories over Agnieszka Radwanska, Marion Bartoli, Jelena Jankovic, and Li Na during the course of Sydney International.

Azarenka, 22, told reporters after winning the title, “It brings a lot of confidence. But it’s going to be a new week, a new tournament, so for me it’s going to be starting from zero. I’m glad the way I played here through those battles that I went through, so I really tested myself before a big event. I’m just going to try to keep going the same way with the same attitude, the same way I’m playing.”

It is important to mention here that victory in Sydney International will not make Victoria Azarenka get any promotion in the WTA Ranking and she will go into the Australian Open at number three while Li Na is expected to decline one place to sixth behind US Open champion Samantha Stosur of Australia.

The next edition of the WTA Rankings would be released on Monday, when the Australia Open will swing into action.

Li Na who has a great record in Australia, told reporters, “Now I am feeling I have more confidence. Now why should I worry? Nothing to worry. I think now it’s much, much better than last half year. Still step by step, yeah.”

Azarenka said, “I think we showed incredible tennis out there. Li Na is always very dangerous and she proved it today. I’m just glad I could overcome and win this match.”