Victoria Azarenka Seals Qualification for TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships-Istanbul

Written by: Staff on 24th August 2013

Victoria Azarenka Seals Qualification for TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships-Istanbul

epa03830297 Victoria Azarenka, of Belarus, returns a volley to Serena Williams, of the United States, during the final round of the ATP Masters in Mason, Ohio, USA, on 18 August 2013. Azarenka won the title EPA/MARK LYONS |

Two-time Grand Slam champion and World No.2 qualifies for fifth straight year

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today that World No.2 Victoria Azarenka has qualified for this year’s TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships, to be staged at the Sinan Erdem Dome in Istanbul, Turkey, from October 22-27, 2013.

The TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships showcases the world’s best women tennis players as the Top 8 singles players and Top 4 doubles teams compete for a record-setting $6 million in prize money and one of the most prestigious titles in women’s tennis. Istanbul is set to host the elite season-ending competition for a triumphant third and final year.

“Congratulations to Victoria on such a great season thus far,” said Stacey Allaster, WTA Chairman and CEO. “Successfully defending a Grand Slam title is an incredible achievement, and her thrilling title runs, most recently at the Western & Southern Open have showcased her fighting spirit and determination to win. It will be terrific to have her back at this year’s TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships-Istanbul.”

“I’m super excited to have qualified for the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships,” said Azarenka. “Making the Championships is one of my goals every year and it really shows your consistency through the season. We have so much fun in Istanbul; it’s one of the best events and a beautiful facility. I’m looking forward to seeing all the fans, the excitement and energy they bring is just amazing.”

The 24-year-old began the season on a high, successfully defending her Australian Open crown by defeating Li Na in a three-set final. Two more titles followed, at the Qatar Total Open (Doha) and the Western & Southern Open (Cincinnati), defeating Serena Williams on both occasions and becoming the only player to defeat Williams three times in a final. She also reached the final at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia (Rome) and Southern California Open (Carlsbad), and semifinals at the Brisbane International and Roland Garros. The Belarusian increased her total weeks at World No.1 to 51, before fellow TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships qualifier Serena Williams took over the top spot on February 18, 2013.

Azarenka returns to the TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships for the fifth successive year, her best results at the event coming in 2011, when she finished runner-up to Petra Kvitova, and 2012, when she advanced to the semifinals.

Following two successful, record-breaking editions, Istanbul hosts the Championships for the third and final year in 2013. In 2012, the event attracted more than 73,000 fans during six days of competition, the highest attendance at the year-end event since 2000. Championships broadcast coverage reached 167 countries, and the overall hours produced increased 25 percent, including live matches, match replays, and highlights. Nearly 42 million fans followed the on-court and behind-the-scenes action via WTA social media and digital platforms, leading to a record-setting week for the official WTA website (www.wtatennis.com) with approximately 4.8 million page impressions and nearly 500,000 unique visitors.

Tickets to the 2013 TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships-Istanbul are now available for purchase through Biletix, either online at www.biletix.com or at Biletix ticket counters in Turkey, with a special 15 percent discount on offer for fans purchasing tickets using TEB credit cards.

Topics: Sports, Tennis, Tennis News, US Open, Victoria Azarenka