Azarenka crushes Li Na at WTA Championships
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China.org.cn, October 28, 2011
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Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating China's Li Na during the WTA Tennis Championship finals in Istanbul, Turkey on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011. |
Victoria Azarenka was a relentless wall of power at the WTA Championships on Thursday, getting revenge for losses at the Australian and French Opens with a commanding 6-2 6-2 win over Li Na.
Having beaten Sam Stosur by an identical scoreline on Wednesday, Azarenka is now 2-0 in the White Group and the first to qualify for the semifinals.
Azarenka, who lost to Li in straight sets in the fourth round in Melbourne and in the quarterfinals in Paris, was sharper in every department against Li this time, controlling most of the rallies with her powerful groundstrokes and sending any of the Chinese trailblazer's own powerful groundstrokes back with added interest.
After Li fired a forehand long to end the one hour 32 minute contest, Azarenka looked ecstatic and is clearly inspired by the atmosphere generated by around 11,000 fans inside the cavernous Sinam Erdem Arena.
"I'm always pumped up. I play a bit hard and I was glad I could finish strong," she said.
"The crowd is amazing. I think that's what we've been really missing in the last couple of years, a good crowd, good support," added Azarenka.
With victories over two of the year's grand slam champions on consecutive days, the in-form 22-year-old is emerging as the favourite to take the title having failed to survive the round-robin stage on her previous two appearances in the event.
For Li, who beat Maria Sharapova in her opening match, the equation is now straightforward.
The winner of her tussle with Stosur on Friday will join Azarenka in the semi-finals from the White Group.
"It's just like a normal tournament now," the 29-year-old Li said. "The winner can go in the draw and the loser has to go back."
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Li Na of China reacts to a lost point while playing Victoria Azarenka of Belarus during round robin play of the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships Istanbul at the Sinan Erdem Dome on October 27, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey. |
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