(October 26, 2012) -- After yet another long day that ended just after midnight in Istanbul, the top four women in the world are set to face each other tomorrow in the semifinals of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships.
Victoria Azarenka confirmed herself as the year-end No. 1 player after defeating China's Li Na in a winner take-all match in the final round robin contest of the event. Li broke Azarenka to open the first set and with some stellar play found herself quickly up 4-2. But Azarenka rallied to eventually force a tiebreak and though Li had chances to take back the set, untimely errors from her racquet gifted Azarenka a one set advantage.
More errors from Li gave Azarenka an early lead in the second set and soon Azarenka found herself serving for the match at 5-2. But perhaps the thought of becoming the year-end No. 1 weighed on her mind a bit too much as Azarenka found herself broken to love. Li pushed Azarenka in the next game, but on her first match point, it was Azarenka who won a lengthy rally to secure a 7-6(4), 6-3 victory that sent her not only into the semifinals but assured she would be only the 11th woman in WTA history to finish a season as No. 1.
"I feel great. Honestly it's a dream come true. I'm just want to play my last matches and after that relax and enjoy that moment more," said Azarenka just after winning.
Azarenka will now face Maria Sharapova in the semifinals who earlier in the day faced Sam Stosur in a dead rubber. A weary looking Stosur only managed five points during the first set but managed to get her game going midway through the second set. Though she forced a break point against Sharapova, the Russian fought back and went on to win 6-0, 6-3 keeping her perfect record alive for the event. (Related: Weekend Tip Sheet - Istanbul, Basel, Valencia)
Radwanska Outduels Errani in Marathon Three Set Battle
In another match with the winner advancing to the semifinals, Agnieszka Radwanksa battled Sara Errani in an over three hour battle that became the longest match in the history of the WTA finals.
Errani came out more aggressive to start the first set but Radwanska soon found her return game as both women engaged in long rallies often won by use of a clever drop shot or a successful foray to the net. The first set ended up in a tiebreak that saw Errani jump out to a 4-1 lead, lose it, but then finally secure the set when Radwanska sent a backhand wide to end a marathon 34-shot rally.
Both women continued to grind away in the second set with each trying to out drop shot the other during their rallies. Errani found herself a game way from the match at 5-4, but Radwanska refused to give in and took the next three games to seal the second set 7-5.
Radwanska broke Errani's serve to start the final set and though she opened a 5-2 lead with two volley winners, Errani fought back and closed to within 5-4. Radwanska used yet another volley winner to get her to match point and when Errani hit long on the next point, an elated Radwanska celebrated her 6-7(6), 7-5, 6-4 win in just under three and a half hours of play.
Despite her weariness, Radwanska will need to summon energy from somewhere as she will next face Serena Williams in tomorrow's semifinals in what will be a rematch of the Wimbledon finals. Williams is a perfect 3-0 in round robin play.
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TEB BNP PARIBAS WTA CHAMPIONSHIPS - ISTANBUL 2012
Istanbul, Turkey
October 23-28, 2012
$4,900,000/SEC
Hard/Indoors
RESULTS -- FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2012
Round Robin - Red Group
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (8) Li Na (CHN) 76(4) 63
Round Robin - White Group
(2) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 60 63
(4) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. (7) Sara Errani (ITA) 67(6) 75 64
ORDER OF PLAY - SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2012
Stadium (from 13.00hrs)
1. Huber/Raymond vs. Hlavackova/Hradecka
2. Serena Williams vs. Agnieszka Radwanska (NB 15.00hrs)
3. Maria Sharapova vs. Victoria Azarenka
4. Errani/Vinci vs. Kirilenko/Petrova
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(File Photo: Azarenka at the 2012 U.S. Open; Credit: Andy Kentla) |