Showing posts with label Victoria Azarenka. Show all posts
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Naomi Osaka And Victoria Azarenka Are The 2020 US Open Women's Singles Finalists
Saturday, September 12, 2020
2020 US Open Champion Naomi Osaka (Photo AP: Frank Franklin II) |
2020 US Open Champion, 22-year-old Japanese-Haitian Naomi Osaka, refused to allow the loss of the first set to her 31 year old opponent Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, to cost her the 2020 title. Battling in the first set as if it were under a time constraint, Osaka reset her mentality. She stated, "For me I just thought it would be very
embarrassing to lose this in under an hour and I just have to try as
hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude."
The eventual win over Azarenka of 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, displayed every ounce of confidence that Osaka possessed and utilized as she gradually restructured her gameplay and turned the tables on Azarenka. "I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a
break. But I think all the matches that I played in between that time
shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the
matches that I've played here were very tough.
"So, yeah, I think definitely I'm more of a complete player now. I just have to try as hard as I can and stop having a really bad attitude," she said. "I feel like two years ago I maybe would have folded being down a set and a break. But I think all the matches that I played in between that time shaped me and made me or forced me to mature more. Especially all the matches that I've played here were very tough."
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Posted by Shelia at 11:23 PM Labels: 2020 US Open, Billie Jean Kin National Tennis Center, Bubble, Naomi Osaka, New York, Pandemic, Victoria Azarenka, Virtual Email this post
WTA PRE-WIMBLEDON PARTY: Red-Carpet Glam Ladies Of The WTA Enroute To Kensington Gardens
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Venus Williams, USA
Serena Williams, USA
Ana Ivanovic, Serbia
Agnieszka Radwańska, Poland
Dominika Cibulková, Slovakia
Li Na, China
Sabine Lisicki, Germany
Sloane Stephens, USA
Victoria Azarenka, Belarus
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Posted by Shelia at 9:33 PM Email this post
Serena Williams Posts Grand Slam Title No. 17 As She Captures 5th U.S. Open Win
Monday, September 9, 2013
History in the making as American Serena Williams wins fifth U.S. Open title racking up a massive 17 Grand Slam Titles in total. |
New York - Serena Williams is already regarded as one of the greatest women’s players in history, with arguably the greatest serve of all-time to go with a tremendous fight, determination and power ground strokes that few other women can match.
And on a night where her serve was not at its best, it was her fight and determination that powered her through errors, wind and Victoria Azarenka, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1, in two hours and 45 minutes for her fifth career US Open title and 17th major championship. It is her second Grand Slam title of the year, to go with her French Open crown, and even though she had 16 Slams under her belt coming to New York, this title means just as much as all the others – and makes her season all the better.
“It means a lot to me, this trophy, and every single trophy that I have," she said following her victory. "It makes me feel that I'm still fighting just to be a part of this fabulous sport. I was so focused these two and a half, three weeks really. I have just been so focused and just really kind of crazy where I'm not losing. What's unique is just the fact of finally reaching No. 5 at the Open, so that's pretty cool."
It was the longest US Open women’s final since 1980, and with the win, Serena earned the largest paycheck in women’s tennis history at $3.6 million – $2.6 million for her US Open win and an additional $1 million in bonus prize money for winning the Emirates Airline US Open Series Bonus Challenge this summer. She also improved her record in Grand Slam finals to an impressive 17-4, her record against Azarenka to 12-3 and put her one Grand Slam title shy of tying Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s haul of 18 majors.
“I felt almost disappointed with my year, to be honest," she said. "I won the French Open, but I wasn't happy with my performances in the other two Slams. I definitely feel a lot better with at least a second Grand Slam under my belt this year.”
source: usopen.org
photos by: AP
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Posted by Shelia at 4:27 AM Labels: 17 Grand Slam Titles, 2013 French Open, 2013 US Open, Grand Slam, New York, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
SERENA AND THE CITY: Serena Takes 15th Slam Trophy On NYC Tour
Monday, September 10, 2012
Raising a slam trophy for the 15th time is none other than Serena Williams, USA 2012 US Open Champion. |
Photos by Getty Images
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Posted by Shelia at 6:17 PM Labels: 2012 US Open, New York City, Tour, Trophy, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
2012 US OPEN: Serena Williams Caps The Grand Slam Season With Her 15th Slam Title
2012 US Open Champion Serena Williams |
There's not a lot more to be said about the winner in Serena Williams... she just is.
As both Venus and Serena Williams have done since the beginning, Sunday's 2012 Championship Match was not over, until it was over. Serena competed from the first to the last point. Aside from the fact that she is that caliber of a champion, her opponent, Belarusian Victoria Azarenka is no slouch either.
In what appeared to be yet another match that Serena would breeze through with the greatest of ease after the first set, it turned out to be anything but. After losing the first set 6-2, Azarenka turned her competitive level up a couple of notches and put Serena in the same defensive position that she had just endured. Thus enabling Azarenka to take the second set in the exact reverse 2-6.
The third set was just what it should have been, a battle for the title. A battle that Serena has faced on numerous occasions and come out on top. Here was where experience, confidence and an iron will made all the difference.
After surviving Azarenka serving for the match at 5-4 in the third set, Serena switched into another gear and in very short order, an emotional Serena lay supine on the court wrapping her mind around earning a fifteenth Slam title.
Azarenka said that when the match was at 5-4, "There was no other choice for her to do. In the back of my mind, I had that coming ... So that maybe was a little bit of hesitation for me. But I have to say Serena produced some amazing tennis. I feel like I could have done a little bit better, but there was nothing that I did absolutely wrong.”
Serena said, “I was preparing my runners-up speech."
"Nothing is more exciting than winning such a tight match in a Grand Slam final. I wonder if I have had one this tight. I'm not sure.”
“I think I competed really well. I never stopped competing, no matter what, and I think sometimes if you can just go out and compete, then you can continue to do well.”
“My motivation is so up there,” she said. “I'm so motivated to just stay focused. I just feel like I'm ready for the next tournament. I really want to be focused and do well there and just keep the dream alive."
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Posted by Shelia at 4:18 AM Labels: 2012 US Open, Belarus, Champion, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
CBS, COMMENTATORS AND COMMENTARY, MAJOR FAIL: Serena Williams Deserves Equal Treatment, Not Small Mindedness
Sunday, September 9, 2012
I should be enjoying this momentous occasion of the 2012 US Open Women's Final between American Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. Instead, during the first set at 4-2 Serena, I am furious at the fact that that CBS, Mary Carillo and John McEnroe found it necessary to open the match with negative video from Serena's career.
It was by far the worst manner in which I have ever personally witnessed a final, or any other match, begin. We who watch and love the sport of tennis are well aware of the positive and negative moments of many of the players careers. But NEVER has a player been beaten over the head so repeatedly with these moments than Serena Williams.
If that was the mode of the day, show negative moments from Azarenka's career, I've witnessed those too. Were they not as salacious, did you dislike her less in her moments than you disliked Serena in hers? Whatever the reason for that one-sided slap in the face that you gave Serena, it should not have occurred.
You absolutely ruined the beginning of this final for a lot of people that sat down to watch two professional women compete for the 2012 US Open title. How incredibly small of you.
MAJOR FAIL, CBS, MARY CARILLO AND JOHN MCENROE... MAJOR FAIL!!!
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Posted by Shelia at 5:45 PM Labels: 2012 US Open, Belarus, CBS, John McEnroe, Major Fail, Mary Carillo, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
(PHOTOS) 2012 Fed Cup Campaign Begins Today
Saturday, February 4, 2012
(Upper left) Venus and Serena Williams, USA, (lower left) Sloane Stephens, USA, (center) Heather Watson, Great Britain, (right) Simone Pratt, Bahamas. |
2012 USA Fed Cup Team |
Americans Venus Williams and Captain Mary Joe Fernandez during press conference in Worcester, Massachusetts. |
Sloane Stephens, USA during practice. |
Great Britain's (r)Heather Watson during practice. |
Serena Williams, USA and Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, at Official Draw Ceremony. |
Simone Pratt, Bahamas also practicing. |
Photos © Jared Gruenwald
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Posted by Shelia at 5:36 AM Labels: 2012 Fed Cup, 2012 USA Fed Cup Team, Captain Mary Joe Fernandez, Christina Mchale, Heather Watson, Liezel Huber, Serena Williams, Simone Pratt, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
2011 U.S. OPEN DAY 4: Serena Is Taking No Prisoners!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Serena Williams, USA
In 2010, Venus Williams tried for a US Open title with her sister sidelined. This year, the roles are reversed, as Serena Williams continued her summer comeback Thursday, defeating Michaella Krajicek of the Netherlands 6-0, 6-1.
The win comes one day after Venus removed herself from the main draw, citing a recent diagnosis of Sjogren's Syndrome - an autoimmune disease where white blood cells can damage the vital organs of the body and cause fatigue and joint pain. Serena, who herself has battled medical maladies such as foot lacerations, a hematoma and a pulomary embolism since her last Open appearance in 2009, steamrolled Krajicek - a qualifier - in a tidy 49 minutes to make it two-for-two for her inside Arthur Ashe Stadium in the last 48 hours.
The abrupt announcement shocked many in the tennis world and created a Google search rush on "Sjogren's Syndrome." Yet, despite being concerned as any family member would be, Williams revealed that putting her sister out of her mind "wasn't that difficult."
"I know she's a fighter and she's really strong," Williams said. "She's great. I think she's really happy now that she knows what it is after all this time. I think, if anything, it's gonna help her now to treat it and go forward."
The three-time Open champion channeled the dominant form she displayed in years past, when she was winning titles in 1999, 2002 and 2008. As the crowd in Ashe shouted words of encouragement to the American favorite, Williams fired 10 aces and converted five-of-six break point opportunities.
Krajicek, meanwhile, did not convert her only opportunity to break in the match and committed 18 unforced errors. Very little went right for the 21-year-old journeywoman, making her first main draw appearance since 2007 when she also lost in the second round. The victory was so lopsided that when Krajicek finally won a game, a soaring roar of applause met her modest triumph - it was just one of those days.
"I told her after the match: 'Welcome back,'" said Williams of Krajicek. "I know she's been going through a really tough time, and not to be discouraged - I hope she doesn't because she's played well.
"She qualified here and won a round, and she never gave up today no matter what the score looked like. I thought it was a really tough match. It was good for her and, you know, she's still young. Her whole life is ahead of her."
Williams defeated Serbia's Bojana Jovanovski in the first round, 6-1, 6-1, in her first match since losing in the '09 semifinals to eventual champion Kim Clijsters. Seeded 28th, Williams could be involved in a star-powered clash on Saturday should No. 4 Victoria Azarenka advance over Argentina's Gisela Dulko. The two play later in the day inside Louis Armstrong Stadium.
If it is Azarenka, Williams believes that she will "definitely be the underdog."
"(Azarenka) has been doing everything good," Williams said. "She moves her feet I think better than anyone on tour, to be honest. She's always moving, and that's really enabled her to get ranked high where she is and have such a great year ... I feel like I have nothing to lose in this match if I have to play her."
source: usopen.org
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Posted by Shelia at 12:36 AM Labels: 2011 U.S. Open, Arthur Ashe Stadium, Gisela Dulko, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Michaella Krajicek, Serena Williams, Sjögren's Syndrome, The Netherlands, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
US OPEN SERIES ROGERS CUP: Serena "Don't Call It A Comeback" Williams Into Semifinals
Saturday, August 13, 2011
American Serena Williams during quarterfinal match against the Czech Republic's Lucie Safarova
Lucie Safarova, CZE |
Williams, whose 11-month layoff with injury and health problems ended in June, was a shadow of herself in the first set but rallied with raw power and shot-making to wrap up the match without losing serve in the last two sets.
"I could have had a better chance in the first set but I lost some key points," Williams, who won the Stanford Classic last month and is on a nine-match winning streak, told reporters.
"It was all about maybe one or two points here that would've made a difference and some silly double faults that didn't make sense."
The third set went with serve until Williams broke world number 32 Safarova in an intense fifth game in which she unleashed several loud screams to get herself going.
The vocal strategy seemed to pay off as she wrapped up the match without conceding another game.
The former world number one, unseeded here because of her long layoff, faces her toughest test yet against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, who has not lost a set en route to the semi-finals and is the highest seeded player left in the draw.
Azarenka ended Kazakh qualifier Galina Voskoboeva's surprise run with a clinical 6-1 6-2 victory.
Photos by Getty Images
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Posted by Shelia at 5:13 AM Labels: Czech Republic, Galina Voskoboeva, Lucie Safarova, Olympus US Open Series, Rogers Cup, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
AEGON International: Wednesday Preview Includes Serena vs. Zvonareva
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
American Serena Williams and Russian Vera Zvonareva scheduled for play on Wednesday in Eastbourne.
It's Wednesday at the AEGON International which means it's second round singles time at Devonshire Park.
The standout match is the women's top seed Vera Zvonareva against the unseeded American wild card Serena Williams. Yesterday Williams, the world No.26, recovered from a slow start to defeat Tsvetana Pironkova 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 in her first match since she won the Wimbledon title in 2010. Her opponent in that Wimbledon final, almost 12 months ago, was none other than Vera Zvonareva and it was a one-sided win for Williams who took it 6-3, 6-2.
However times have changed. Before yesterday, due to a serious foot injury and blood clots on both lungs, the former world No.1 had not played. Zvonareva, meanwhile, has maintained her form and is currently sitting at No.3 in the world rankings. The Russian came past Britain's Heather Watson yesterday, winning 6-3, 6-3 and will relish the opportunity to get her revenge on the younger Williams sister.
Serena's older sister, Venus, starts the proceedings on day five as she takes on Ana Ivanovic in the first match of the day on Centre Court. The pair have met on seven occasions with Williams winning six of them.
Third on Centre Court is the men's top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who brushed aside Denis Istomin yesterday, 6-2, 7-5, and he plays Radek Stepanek after the Czech player defeated Britain's Colin Fleming in round one.
Speaking of Brits, Elena Baltacha takes on third seed Victoria Azarenka first on Court 1 and James Ward will play a one set shootout against Janko Tipsarevic after their match was called to a halt at one set all yesterday.
With Schiavone, Hantuchova, Li Na and Kvitova also in action, as well as a doubles appearance from British duo Heather Watson & Anne Keothavong it promises to be another entertaining day of tennis in Eastbourne.
Photo by Getty Images
Source AEGON International
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Posted by Shelia at 8:22 AM Labels: Angela Haynes Serena Williams, Eastbourne Great Britain, Francesca Schiovone, Heather Watson, James Ward, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Li Na, Radek Stepanek, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
Venus Defends Dubai And Earns 42nd Title
Saturday, February 20, 2010
DUBAI (AFP) — Venus Williams became the most successful active woman player on the WTA Tour when she secured her 42nd title by successfully defending the Dubai Open here on Saturday.
Williams, who beat Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 7-5 in an absorbing final, thus overtook Justine Henin's record of 41 titles, only two months after achieving another notable statistic -- a career total of 25 million dollars in prize money.
She and her sister Serena are the only two women to have achieved this feat, but both Venus's resilient performance and her optimistic words suggested that further remarkable statistics are in the pipeline.
Asked if she now hoped to add to her tally of Grand Slam titles, the five-time Wimbledon champion replied: "Absolutely. I am so happy to have added to my collection here. And I am keen to keep adding every time."
Venus also made reference to the diplomatic success of a tournament which accommodated the first Israeli woman, Shahar Peer, ever to compete in the United Arab Emirates.
"It was a great tournament to have everyone included," she said.
Later she added: "Obviously we had issues with everyone getting included," referring to the refusal of Peer's UAE visa in 2009. "But this year it was great to show a spirit of inclusion and equality."
Venus went on: "I definitely think her playing has an influence on things outside the tennis. We need government to do the right thing like they did here and people of courage to come here and play, to play so well with focus."
Venus felt her good form was in significant measure due to having found a way of managing her long-lasting fitness problems, especially with a knee, and she delighted, she said, in being able to throw away the bandages she had to wear for much of last year.
The match was full of noisily powerful rallies -- Azarenka usually trying to work an initiative, Venus more likely to win the rally with one blow, Azarenka accompanying everything with a loud coo, Venus with an ominous roar.
The first set hinged on the pressure Venus placed on her opponent's second serves, which brought an Azarenka double fault on game point at 2-3 -- though it required Venus to make a successful appeal to Hawkeye to prove that the second serve was too long.
Having closed out the first set, Venus's momentum accelerated. She struck the ball with even more confidence, broke again immediately, and the feeling of the contest changed dramatically as she hurtled to 3-1.
However, as against Anastasia Pavluchenkova and Shahar Peer, Venus's serve wobbled a little with the end in sight. A creaky double fault at 3-2 gave Azarenka a break back point, and a moderate second serve allowed the fourth seed to make a return which converted that chance immediately.
But Venus broke again for 6-5, courtesy of an ill-timed foray to the net by the 20-year-old Azarenka, and closed out the match in the next game at the third attempt.
"I'm definitely starting to feel better," Venus concluded.
"It's been a learning curve in managing the playing and keep the swelling (of the knee) down. I don't usually talk about my injuries this much, but I am excited about what is happening."
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Posted by Shelia at 2:09 PM Labels: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Barclays Dubai Championships, Serena Williams, Shahar Peer, Venus Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
The Grace Of Growth: Serena Wins AO Title No. 5
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Serena Williams, USA, 2010 Australian Open Singles Champion
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(Photos by Paul Crock/AFP/Getty Images)
What a blessing...
In taking her fifth Australian Open singles title and twelfth grand slam title today, American Serena Williams showed a grace of composure that can only come with personal growth. The benefits of which were clearly on display during this tournament.
Serena was asked how special it was to now tie with Billie Jean King for twelve majors overall, "It's so cool, finally I... that was my goal, but I didn't want to say it was my goal, but you know now to even be mentioned in the same breath as her is awesome."
"So now I'm focused on doing what she was able to do off the court because she's such an amazing person."
Serena's 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 defeat of Belgian Justine Henin came at the end of a tournament within which Serena's injuries and apparent fatigue seemed as if they would overcome her ability to compete well with each successive match. Yet during each match you could see Serena continually composing herself, conserving energy where she could and being as precise as possible with every shot.
I must admit, seeing Serena in such a state and knowing the battles that she and Henin have waged in years gone by, I had great concern over her ability to be successful in this final. At the same time, Serena's quarterfinal match against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and semifinal match against Li Na presented a new depth of fortitude that allowed her to prevail in spite of any physical ailings.
That same determination enabled her to press forward even after losing the second set to Henin. When asked how she was able to get the momentum back on her side after losing the second set Serena said, "Well I thought, you know, I just got to man up, you know, this is my chance and no matter what I just have one more set, just get through it and... I did."
Asked about how she was physically able to make this final push after the doubles win yesterday Serena said, "Honestly, I don't know. I was just thinking okay Serena you can have some days off, just get through it and I did. And I just, was so happy to win, it was shocking."
Congratulations Serena, you truly earned this title and we celebrate with and for you.
In taking her fifth Australian Open singles title and twelfth grand slam title today, American Serena Williams showed a grace of composure that can only come with personal growth. The benefits of which were clearly on display during this tournament.
Serena was asked how special it was to now tie with Billie Jean King for twelve majors overall, "It's so cool, finally I... that was my goal, but I didn't want to say it was my goal, but you know now to even be mentioned in the same breath as her is awesome."
"So now I'm focused on doing what she was able to do off the court because she's such an amazing person."
Serena's 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 defeat of Belgian Justine Henin came at the end of a tournament within which Serena's injuries and apparent fatigue seemed as if they would overcome her ability to compete well with each successive match. Yet during each match you could see Serena continually composing herself, conserving energy where she could and being as precise as possible with every shot.
I must admit, seeing Serena in such a state and knowing the battles that she and Henin have waged in years gone by, I had great concern over her ability to be successful in this final. At the same time, Serena's quarterfinal match against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka and semifinal match against Li Na presented a new depth of fortitude that allowed her to prevail in spite of any physical ailings.
That same determination enabled her to press forward even after losing the second set to Henin. When asked how she was able to get the momentum back on her side after losing the second set Serena said, "Well I thought, you know, I just got to man up, you know, this is my chance and no matter what I just have one more set, just get through it and... I did."
Asked about how she was physically able to make this final push after the doubles win yesterday Serena said, "Honestly, I don't know. I was just thinking okay Serena you can have some days off, just get through it and I did. And I just, was so happy to win, it was shocking."
Congratulations Serena, you truly earned this title and we celebrate with and for you.
Posted by Shelia at 6:31 AM Labels: 2010 Australian Open, Justine Henin, Li Na, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka Email this post
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