Although she started the year superbly, winning her second Aussie Open title and defeating Serena Williams to retain her Doha crown, Vika Azarenka run out of steam as the season progressed. She lost momentum following the nasty knee injury she sustained at Wimbledon, and although she came back strong during the North American period to win in Cincinnati, again after a mouth-watering victory over Serena, she was never quite the same. The heart-breaking loss to the American in the US Open championship match proved the final nail in the coffin. Not 100% fit and struggling to find motivation, Vika won just one of her last five matches, a rare "achievement" for the world No.2.
Azarenka came into the WTA Championships in Istanbul on the back of two early exits in Asia. She lost first round both in Tokyo, to Venus Williams, as well as in Beijing, to Andrea Petkovic. Nevertheless, she started her campaign strongly, beating Sara Errani in straight sets to take the lead in the White Group. This group was relatively easy, so I was expecting her to cruise through it without major difficulties. I was actually anticipating another showdown with Serena in Sunday's final, but the poor mental state she's in surfaced once more when she was dismissed 4-6,3-6 by late qualifier, Jelena Jankovic.
The shocking result complicated her case, and the Belorussian needed a straight sets triumph over Li Na to guarantee her place in the semis. It was over before it began though, as she sustained a lower back injury while serving at 2-3, which made it impossible for her to compete at a decent level. Li dropped just one more game from there on, as she closed out a commanding 6-2,6-1 victory. Visibly in pain and unable to move, the Belorussian was asked why she hadn't retired. "I just wanted to try to do my best for the fans who came to watch and out of respect for my opponent," she answered. "It was just about trying to do the best I could out there."
These last few months have been tough, but it's important for Vika to shake off the disappointment, find her motivation, and come back stronger in 2014. I stand by my belief that she is the only one capable of stopping Serena from clean sweeping the majors next year. Go Vika! #letsdothis #newstart #newchapter
These last few months have been tough, but it's important for Vika to shake off the disappointment, find her motivation, and come back stronger in 2014. I stand by my belief that she is the only one capable of stopping Serena from clean sweeping the majors next year. Go Vika! #letsdothis #newstart #newchapter
photo: GETTY IMAGES
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