Playing her first tournament as the new world number 1, Victoria Azarenka showed nerves of steel and fierce determination, cruising through the Doha draw without losing a set. Invincible so far this year, the Belorussian collected her third trophy of 2012, taking her impressive record to 17 consecutive wins. By dropping just 19 games in the process, the fewest any player has lost in a WTA event this season, she continues to stamp her authority on the women's tour, leaving up to the huge expectations that are now put on her shoulders.
The week provided a crucial moment though. Just when everything was going her way, misery threatened to strike, as Vika twisted her right angle while trying to return a drop shot during her semifinal clash with Agnieszka Radwanska. As these injuries are extremely dangerous, most players decide to withdraw, hoping to minimize thus the damage. Azarenka's new found mental toughness enabled her to just hang in there and even though she limped through the court, she was still too strong for her Polish opponent. After a bit of a stumble, she closed out the match avenging a painful loss to Radwanska on the same court at the 2009 WTA Championships. Any worries regarding the seriousness of her injury were dismissed in the final, Victoria destroying Samantha Stosur 6-1,6-2 in just over an hour.
Having conquered all the big prizes so far this year, i.e. the Australian Open, as well as two premier crowns, Azarenka is without a doubt the queen of the women's tennis. She will look to continue her unbeatable run at next week's Duty Free Dubai Open, where she starts as the heavy favourite.
photos: GETTY IMAGES
photos: GETTY IMAGES
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