After an impressive 14-match win streak which saw her win the Swedish Open, the Rogers Cup and reach the final of the Cincinnati Open, top-ranked Serena Williams lost to world number two Victoria Azarenka in the title match in Ohio. Despite the loss, the American said that she’s in fact a bit relieved that it happened.
“It makes me more relaxed and almost happy that I lost because now I don’t have to worry about every day someone asking me about some silly winning streak,” she said. “So maybe it was for the best,” she added.
In a match reminiscent of last year’s US Open final but this time with a different outcome, Victoria Azarenka outlasted Williams in a tough three setter even if Williams was serving for the match at 5-4.
Azarenka was quick to address that despite the win, she’s not the favorite to win the US Open which begins on August 26.
“I will not be a favorite,” she said. “We’re in the United States, and Serena is No. 1 in the world, a great champion, the defending champion, so I still think that she’s going to be a favorite there. Second favorite, third favorite, I don’t care about that. But this is a great boost of confidence.”
