TENNIS QATAR OPEN WTA – Vika Azarenka fought back from a set down to battle past Venus Williams with 2-6 6-2 6-4 to get through to her first final since Brisbane in January 2014. Diego Sampaolo
Vika Azarenka fought back from a set down to battle past Venus Williams with 2-6 6-2 6-4 to get through to her first final since Brisbane in January 2014. Azarenka won her first match against Williams after four defeats in their previous head-to-head matches. Williams took control of the match and broke serve in the fifth game for 3-2 and wrapped up the first set with 6-2. Azarenka turned around the match in the second set winning nine games in a row from 2-6 1-2 and taking control of the third set.
Azarenka did not convert on two break point chances at 1-1 but broke serve twice in the fifth and in the seventh games. Vika managed to hold her serve in the eighth game at 5-2 and won the second set forcing the second set to the third set.
Vika opened up a 4-0 lead but Venus clawed her way back into the match to 4-5. The 25-year-old player closed out the match on the next game with 6-4.
Azarenka clinched her 14th consecutive win in Doha where she won two titles in 2012 and 2013.
In the final Azarenka will face Lucie Safarova who swept aside Carla Suarez Navarro with 6-3 6-2 in one hour and 17 minutes in the first semifinal of the Qatar Total Open. The Czech player will be bidding to win her first WTA Premier title.
Safarova, winner of the doubles title at the Australian Open with Bethanie Mattek Sands, dominated the match winning 76 percent of her first service points. After dominating the first set with 6-3 Safarova broke serve twice in the third and the seventh games.
Azarenka will be bidding to win her third title in Doha after 2012 and 2013. Safarova will play her first final since Quebec City in 2013 and her first ever Premier level. Azarenka leads 6-0 in their previous head-to-head matches.