Sunday, February 17, 2013
Williams to face Azarenka in Doha battle of number ones
(Reuters) - Serena Williams faces the player she will replace next week as world number one, Victoria Azarenka, in the final of the Qatar Open after overcoming Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-2 in Doha on Saturday.
Top seed and defending champion Azarenka defeated Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3 6-3 in the other semi-final.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland during their women's semi-final match at the Qatar Open tennis tournament in Doha February 16, 2013. REUTERS/Fadi Al-AssaadIt was the 10th time in succession Williams, who at 31 will become the oldest women to hold top spot since computer rankings began in 1985, had beaten her Russian opponent.
"Maria always plays really well and is so consistent but I'm trying to be consistent as well," Williams told the WTA website (www.wtatennis.com).
The 15-times grand slam winner will officially take over as number one when the rankings are released on Monday.
Asked whether in her early days the American wondered if she might still be playing at 31, Williams replied: "I have nothing else to do. I'm still pretty good at tennis so why not? I'd just rather not sit at home all day.
"It's kinda fun. I love playing. I love winning."
Williams has a healthy career lead over Azarenka, having beaten the 23-year-old Belarussian in 11 of their 12 previous meetings, the only defeat coming in Miami in 2009.
"I just have to be consistent and really focused on my own game," said Azarenka who retained the Australian Open title last month.
"We all know she has a great serve. She's really aggressive and really consistent. So for me it's important to just focus on myself and execute my game."
(Writing by Alison Wildey in London, editing by Tony Jimenez)
- Yongbo: Beat us if you can, not good for China to win all the time
- Thai Ratchanok wins many hearts with her gritty display
- Indonesian Rexy's advise to M'sian team: Stick together as a family
- Tennis: Djokovic blocks Nadal path to Paris super eight
- Squash:M'sian Nicol beats New Zealander in straight sets to reach last four
- NBA: Pacers edge Heat to even series
- Squash: Matthew offers a message with a warning
- South Korea in seventh heaven
- Golf: Molinari leads but Ryder Cup colleagues crash out
- Arat: Istanbul bid to host the 2020 Olympic is about building bridges
- Fernley says costs threaten some F1 teams
- Rosberg tops crash-filled final Monaco practice
- Djokovic and cold weather threaten Nadal's Paris bid
- Rosberg puts Mercedes on pole in Monaco
- Sunshine comes Just-in time as Rose blooms with 69
- Rosberg on pole for Monaco Grand Prix
- South Korea in seventh heaven
- F1 is a superego trip for Wurz's wife
- Make betting legal, says top Indian body
- NBA: Pacers edge Heat to even series
RSS
