Victoria Azarenka beat top seed Serena Williams to claim the WTA Cincinnati Open.
Williams cruised through the opening set,getting both of her break points as Azarenka tried to stay in the game
Azarenka rallied in the second set and took a 4-1 lead following a string of errors from her opponent.
Wiliams saved seven break points in the next game to avoid a third break of her serve, but Azarenka held before finally leveling the match.
Azarenka gained a 4-2 lead in the deciding set, but Williams hit back and broke again to lead 5-4.
“Obviously, it was a big win. It was a great match . I am really pleased with the way I pulled it out. It was a great battle,” said Azarenka.
Williams paid tribute to her opponent after the match. “I’m number one, she’s number two, so we have that rivalry, which makes it even more so exciting,” she said.
She added, “I personally was thinking it is a good rivalry and it’s good to have someone out there that can play hard and fight so tough.
She’s a great player. There’s a reason why she’s winning grand slams and doing so well… there were no giveaways. It was pure fight.”
Generous words, but it was Victoria Azarenka who took the title.