Belarusian Teen Wins Sony Ericsson Open in Florida. Congrats to Vika Azarenka!
The 19-year-old Belarusian won the Sony Ericsson Open in Florida earlier this week. Victoria Azarenka claimed the biggest win of her career as she defeated five-time champion and world number one Serena Williams in the Miami final.
Here is how Washington Post covered this victory:
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.
“I’m sorry. I think I forget my English right now,” she told the crowd. “It was such an honor for me to play Serena. She’s the greatest player for me. I was so happy to be able to play her and win.”
Azarenka, who won her first tour title three months ago at Brisbane, 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 Scottsdale 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 men’s doubles specialist Max Mirnyi, who teamed with Andy Ram to win the doubles title Saturday.
Read more in Washington Post.