CARLSBAD, California: Top seed Victoria Azarenka overcame a lapse of concentration to defeat Ana Ivanovic 6-0, 4-6, 6-3 and reach the final of the Carlsbad Open yesterday.
Playing in her first tournament since suffering knee and hip injuries at Wimbledon, the Belarussian dug herself out of a second-set hole to subdue the 2008 French Open champion, who also ran hot and cold throughout.
Australia’s Samantha Stosur will face Azarenka in today’s showdown after the fifth seed utilised her big serve and forehand to repel French wild card Virginie Razzano 7-6, 6-3 in the second semi-final.
“It’s something that you expect from Ana, she’s a very big shot maker and loves to bang the ball,” Azarenka told reporters of her hard-hitting Serb opponent.
“For me the key was to not let her make those shots and be the one who was putting the pressure. I did feel more consistent.”
World number three Azarenka raced through the first set, breaking the seventh-seeded Ivanovic three times, but was less than thrilled with her play in the second, where she was broken to love and conceded it with three sizzling forehand winners.
Azarenka composed herself in the third, breaking Ivanovic with a ripping forehand crosscourt winner and never giving the Serb a look at her serve.
Following her win, the double Australian Open champion is guaranteed to pass Russian Maria Sharapova for the number two ranking when they are released. Serena Williams of the US will remain number one in the standings. REUTERS
