Azarenka Believes Williams Is The One To Win At US Open

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 6th August 2013

Azarenka Believes Williams Is The One To Win At US Open

epa03794486 American tennisplayer Serena Williams cheers after winninge the semifinal against tjeckian tennis player Klara Zakopalova in the semifinal in women's single match at the Swedish Open tennis tournament in Bastad, Sweden, on July 20, 2013. Williams opponant in the finally will be Swedish player Johanna Arvidsson. EPA/BJORN LARSSON ROSVALL |

Given her recent injury problems, Victoria Azarenka is currently thinking she will simply be happy to play the US Open pain free. And the Australian Open champion, who was forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after suffering a painful fall and is again sitting out this week’s Rogers Cup in Toronto, is in no doubt defending champion Serena Williams will be the player to beat in New York.

Regardless of all her fitness issues, that also saw her forced to withdraw from March’s Dubai Duty Free Championships with foot problems, Azarenka still had a 28-match winning streak on outdoor hard courts until she was beaten by Australia’s Samantha Stosur in Sunday’s Southern California Open final in Carlsbad.

“I don’t think you’ll ever make me favorite in U.S. Open when you have Serena,” maintained Azarenka. “Right now it’s not going to happen unless I win one. For me it’s not that important. What’s important is how ready I am and what I’m going to do there. So being the favorite doesn’t guarantee you anything.”

Now top ranked Williams, like so many other big names beaten early at Wimbledon, is eager to test herself in the Rogers Cup she won two years ago when it was last played at Toronto’s Rexall Center.

“It was just such a confidence boost to win such a big tournament, such a staple,” she said of her 2011 victory.

“It was very good for my confidence and it definitely gave me the experience I needed. It propelled me to get to the finals at the US Open.”

Although her Wimbledon exit to eventual finalist Sabine Lisicki was a surprise, Williams bounced back by winning the Swedish Open title on clay in Bastad and she has claimed seven titles this year including the French Open.

However, she thinks there could be plenty of room for improvement, and more titles. “I don’t know if I’ve peaked yet,” Williams said. “I don’t know if I’ve gotten to the top of the mountain yet. “If I am there, I want to stay there.”