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Azarenka does the Indian Wells/Miami Double

Ros Satar
Tennis

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By Ros Satar

  • Victoria Azarenka [13] def. Svetlana Kuznetsova [15] 6-2 6-3
  • Azarenka is the third woman to do the Indian Wells/Miami double
  • Wins a title three times for the first time in her career

MIAMI, USA – Victoria Azarenka dominated Svetlana Kuznetsova to do the Indian Wells/Miami Double, in straight sets.

From the start of the match, she was looking in commanding form, swiftly jumping to a 3-0 lead before Kuznetsova finally got herself on the board, getting one of the breaks back, thanks to a brace of double faults.

Kuznetsova couldn’t make it stick through – in fact she couldn’t actually hold at all, as Azarenka reclaimed the double break cushion once more. Serving out for the set, her first serve seemed to have succumbed to the heat, leaving the door open again for the Russian but Kuznetsova was not destined to hold at all in this set, as Azarenka moved to within a set of a little slice of history.

If the first set was one of breaks (there were seven straight breaks to the end of the set), this looked like it was going to be the set where they felt like holding, but once more Azarenka’s shot selection was on point, breaking for a 4-1 lead.

Kuznetsova at times looked as though the run of three-setters had taken its toll. We had tired shots, some questionable shot selection (that overhead, which was begging to be a drive volley for one) and to add insult to injury. Azarenka finished as she had started – with a break.

Speaking on court after her win, Azarenka said: “I want congratulate Sveta for the great result. I know you’ve had a lot of ups and downs in your career and I’m so happy to see you again in top form producing some great tennis.”

“I want to thank my team. Thank you so much for believing in me and pushing me had every day. Team work makes the dream work – that’s our favourite phrase on the team. Let’s keep working hard and go after our dreams.

She continued: “I want to dedicate this win to my family, for my parents, who I don’t see very often but my parents taught me some really great things.

“They gave me roots so I always know where I come from and they gave me wings so I can fly, so I can be here. Thank you so much.”

Azarenka is now top of the leaderboard to the Road to Singapore, and when the new rankings come out on Monday, she will be back in the Top 5.