Tennis experts have been keeping Belarusian teenager Victoria Azarenka under their radars ever since she won the Australian and US Open juniors championships in 2005. What better time to announce her entrance in the higher echelons of WTA Tour than beating the reigning world number one in a premiere tournament?
Azarenka had just done both when she won the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami on Saturday, beating Serena Williams in two sets (6-3, 6-1) and earned her biggest paycheck yet – $700,000.
“It was such an honor for me to play Serena. She’s the greatest player for me. I was so happy to be able to play her and win,” the 19-year old said during the trophy ceremony.
Williams was clearly not at her best in the match, citing a sore leg that’s been bothering her since the quarterfinals.
“It was a little difficult moving to the left and a little bit to the right,” she said.
The 27-year old American retained the number one ranking by virtue of reaching the finals of the premiere event. However, she failed to break the tie between her and Steffi Graf (5 each) for most number of Key Biscayne titles. Despite falling short, Williams said she can always look forward next year.
“I’m not that bummed, because I feel like there’s next year. And then there’s the year after and the year after,” she said.
Azarenka, who debuted in the world’s top ten last week following her semifinal finish at Indian Wells, will move up to number eight when the updated rankings come up on Monday – April 6.
The men’s doubles final was also contested on Saturday with Belarusian Max Mirnyi and partner Israeli Andy Ram beating Australian duo Ashley Fisher and Stephen Russ (6-7, 6-2, 10-7).
Image by: AFP
