QATAR TOTAL OPEN – Doha tennis news: Victoria Azarenka Wins

Written by: Staff on 19th February 2012

QATAR TOTAL OPEN - Doha tennis news: Victoria Azarenka Wins

epa03113183 Winner Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (L) and runner up Samantha Stosur of Australia (R) hold their trophies during the awards ceremony following the final match at the WTA Qatar Ladies Open, in the International Khalifa Tennis Complex Doha, Qatar, 19 February 2012. EPA/STR |

QATAR TOTAL OPEN

Doha, Qatar

February 13-19, 2012

$2,168,400/Premier

Hard/Outdoors

Results – Sunday, February 20, 2012

Singles – Final

(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (3) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 61 62

Doubles – Final

(1) Huber/Raymond (USA/USA) d. Kops-Jones/Spears (USA/USA) 63 61

Final Facts

– Azarenka wins her 11th WTA title (three of them coming this year) and is now 11-8 in WTA finals; it is her sixth Premier-level title (after Miami in 2009, Stanford and Moscow in 2010, Miami again in 2011 and Sydney in 2012).

– Azarenka improves to 17-0 on the year, and after having not lost a set in the Australian Open final and in Doha, has won 12 straight sets.

– Azarenka’s 18 games lost this week was the fewest en route to a title of anyone this year.

– Azarenka is now 6-0 all-time against Stosur, with all six of the victories being in straight sets.

– Stosur falls to 3-11 in finals, but with this result she has surpassed $10 million in career prize money, making her the first Australian to do so.

– Huber and Raymond win their sixth WTA doubles title together – they won four in 2011 and their first of 2012 just last week in Paris [Indoors].

– This was Huber’s 50th WTA doubles title, making her the 15th woman in the Open Era to reach that number; and Raymond’s 76th, tying her with Jana Novotna for sixth place on that list.

– Huber and Raymond are now 3-0 all-time against Kops-Jones and Spears, previously beating them last year at the US Open and Beijing.

Final Quotes

Victoria Azarenka: “I think that one point at the beginning of the match really saved my butt a little bit – you know, I hit the net. But I was trying to be really aggressive and not let her command it, because that’s what she likes to do. She has a huge serve, and the first shot, that’s where she puts the opponent on the run, and you run so far behind the baseline. I tried to take that away from her.

“It feels amazing to win this title. I have been coming here quite a few times, also for the WTA Championships, and I never even reached the final, so for me it’s extra special to win here. I really like this tournament a lot.”

Samantha Stosur: “For sure I’m happy with the week I’ve had. It’s been great to turn my form around so quickly after a disappointing month first up, so I’m really pleased I’ve been able to pick it up and make it to the final.”

Lisa Raymond: “Coming off a win last week in Paris and to be able to back it up, to come here and fight through some tough matches, especially at the beginning of the week, it feels great. And to win a convincing final the way we did today, as well.”

Topics: Samantha Stosur, Victoria Azarenka