Belarus teenager Victoria Azarenka beat Serena Williams 6-3, 6-1 in the Sony Ericsson Open final, spoiling the top-ranked Americans bid for a record sixth Key Biscayne title on Saturday.
The loss ended Williams reign at Key Biscayne. She was bidding for her third title in a row. Instead, she fell to 38-2 in the tournament since 2001, with the only other loss to her sister Venus.
Im not that bummed, because I feel like theres next year, Williams said. And then theres the year after and the year after.
The result continued the rise of 10th-ranked Azarenka, who won her first career titles at Brisbane in January and Memphis in February, and beat world No. 2 Dinara Safina en route to the semifinals at Indian Wells two weeks ago.
On Sunday, Novak Djokovic will bid for his second Key Biscayne mens title against Andy Murray, the tournaments first British finalist.
Williams played with her left thigh taped and struggled to move to her left. She served poorly and had trouble putting Azarenkas 90 mph (145 kph) serves into play.
Williams said her left thigh began bothering her in the quarterfinals, and she also was bothered by a sprained ankle.
It was a little difficult moving to the left and a little bit to the right, she said.
With a chuckle, she added, A little forward was also difficult.
Williams limped at times and said she considered pulling out before the match.
I dont like to not play, she said. I gave the effort that I could give today. Thats all I could give.
Azarenka quickly realized Williams wasnt 100 percent and took advantage with pinpoint strokes to the corners.
You could see the leg tape right away, 19-year-old Azarenka said. But I wasnt really paying attention too much, because I had to play my game, and I had to keep her moving as much as I could.
Williams led 3-2 before Azarenka won five consecutive games to take control. The teenager also won the final five games and closed out the biggest win of her career when Williams sailed a backhand long. Azarenka tossed away her racket, covered her face and hopped to the net.
Her voice shook during the trophy ceremony.
Im sorry. I think I forget my English right now, she told the crowd. It was such an honor for me to play Serena. Shes the greatest player for me. I was so happy to be able to play her and win.
For Azarenka, it was a big improvement on their match in the fourth round at the Australian Open in January, when she became sick to her stomach beforehand and lost.
Azarenka said she battled nerves on Saturday, but they betrayed her only with an occasional double fault. She was so poised serving in the final game that when she challenged a call and was advised the replay system had malfunctioned, she smiled and won the next point.
She has really, really improved, Williams said. I actually look forward to playing her again so I can play a little better, and obviously do better. Shes going to be a really good player.
Azarenka was the steadier player in rallies, often punctuating her shots with a two-tone shriek worthy of Maria Sharapova. A subdued Williams remained impassive throughout, even as the match slipped away, in contrast with Roger Federers racket-breaking outburst that stunned the entire stadium on Friday.
Williams dropped serve five times and committed unforced errors on 34 of the 64 points she lost. Despite reaching the final, she was erratic throughout the tournament: She lost five games in a row a staggering five times.
Despite the defeat, shell retain the No. 1 ranking for a 10th consecutive week next week, while Azarenka will keep climbing to No. 8.
Azarenka improved to 23-2 this year. She grew up in Minsk and befriended NHL goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin, who invited her to the United States to train. She moved to Arizona and has lived there with Khabibulin and his wife since 2005.
Azarenka said her title would be big news in Belarus, where the most famous tennis player has been mens doubles specialist Max Mirnyi, who teamed with Andy Ram to win the doubles title on Saturday. She was expecting a congratulatory phone call from President Alexander Lukashenko, whom she met when she was in grade school.
He came to one of the tennis tournaments, and I was presenting flowers to him, she said.
Azarenka won $700,000, more than the mens first prize of $605,500. The two tours offer the same total prize money but distribute it differently.
I can spend it in one day, Azarenka said. Im not allowed to drink in the States yet, but Ill definitely go celebrate somewhere.
