By Chris Oddo | Saturday April 6, 2019
Victoria Azarenka played a dominant third set to take out Angelique Kerber and book a final with Garbine Muguruza at Monterrey.
Photo Source: Abierto GNP Seguros
Victoria Azarenka is back in a WTA final for the first time since 2016.
The Belarusian played a near perfect third set and took out Angelique Kerber on Saturday at the Abierto GNP Seguros in Monterrey 6-4 4-6 6-1.
Azarenka’s victory sets up her first final appearance since she clinched the Sunshine Double at Miami in 2016. She also snaps a six-match losing streak against the Top 10 and reaches her first final since giving birth to her son Leo in December of 2016.
"It's quite incredible,” Azarenka said after the match. “I'm very pleased with the way I played today. It was an important match, to see how I can do under pressure against a top player, I haven't won many of those in the last couple years so it's good that I'm able to turn it around and pick up my level."
Azarenka battled through a tight first set, climbing back from a break down (nearly a double-break) and winning the final four games to take it 6-4.
The second set was dominated by Kerber, as the German broke three times on eight opportunities and won 21 of 39 points against Azarenka’s serve.
But the World No.67 was the more determined and steady player in the decider. She won 29 of 44 total points and raced out to a 5-0 lead before Kerber could mount any resistance. The German did save a match point to avoid a 6-0 set but could only manage one game in the decider before Azarenka closed the door on her at the two hour and 11-minute mark to notch her eighth win in nine tries against her.
Azarenka will face Garbiñe Muguruza in Sunday’s final. The defending champion knocked off Magdalena Rybarikova 6-2 6-3 to claim her ninth consecutive victory at Monterrey.
Azarenka has won the only previous meeting between the pair, in straight sets at Miami in 2016.
The 29-year-old is hoping that her victory over Kerber is a beginning of a trend for her against top players.
“I’m trying to make better decisions, better choices, under pressure,” Azarenka said. “It’s all about taking one step at a time. I always knew how to play tennis but to put it all together it’s always more tricky, so I’m glad that I’m able to put little pieces together in the important moments now.”