Serena Williams added the Italian Open to the three titles she had won in Miami, South Carolina and Madrid after outclassing Victoria Azarenka in one hour and thirty- three minutes at the Foro Italico in Rome.
Serena Williams Wins the Italian Open.
The World number one powered to a 6-1, 6-3 victory in Rome to increase her winning run to 24 matches.
Sunday’s Italian Open final comes one week to the Roland Garros, making the American a strong favourite for the title she last won in 2002, same year she won her previous Rome Open.
The Belarusian had only won two of her previous thirteen meetings with Williams and early this year, lost her world number one status to the American. All these were evident in the tie as Williams constantly threatened the 23- year- old, keeping her on the back foot.
Azarenka put up some stern resistance in the early stages but, despite repeatedly forcing Williams to deuce in an opening three games that lasted over 20 minutes, the 31- year- old American won them all.
Back in game four, Azarenka got one of the breaks but then immediately succumbed to Williams’ pressure to drop serve to love.
When she slipped 5-1 down, the frustration was all over Azarenka’s face as she smacked her racquet on the clay, and the set was concluded in 45 minutes; 6-1 in Williams’ favour.
Williams continued from where she left in the second set, commanding another breakthrough and finally taking it to move 4-2 ahead, at that point she was within the sight of victory.
Azarenka briefly stemmed the tide with her second break of the match, but after a couple of formidable Williams forehands, the Belarusian double- faulted to hand over the next game.
Williams blasted down her seventh and eight aces of the match to move to three championship points, and converted the first with her trade- mark scream of delight.
Comments
Post a Comment