Azarenka to face Sharapova in final
Top two women players gunning for Indian Wells title.
INDIAN WELLS:
The top two women in the world reached the Indian Wells final as Victoria Azarenka eased through in straight sets, while Maria Sharapova advanced when her opponent retired with an injury.
World number one Azarenka extended her season-long match win streak to 22-0 by beating German Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-final on centre court.
Russia’s world number two Sharapova, who won the 2006 Indian Wells title, advanced to the final when a distraught Ana Ivanovic retired from the other semi-final with a hip injury.
“Azarenka is the one to beat right now and is playing some amazing tennis and is full of confidence,” said Sharapova. “I hope I go out in the final and just play some good tennis.”
Reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka has three titles already this year and has now reached the final of her last six tournaments.
“I am so excited because this is the first time for me to be in the final. I love to play here,” said Azarenka.
Azarenka’s win streak is the longest on the WTA Tour since 1997, when Martina Hingis won 37 in a row. Serena Williams had a 21-match win streak in 2003.
Federer, Nadal set up semi-final clash
In the men’s draw, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer set up their first semi-final clash with contrasting victories over their Argentine opponents.
Nadal, who is chasing his first title of 2012, survived an opening set scare en route to a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over David Nalbandian in their quarter-final match.
“It was very difficult,” said Nadal. “I was a bit more nervous than usual.
“Nalbandian always gives me problems on my game, and that probably makes me feel a little bit unsafe before the match. That’s why I had more mistakes than expected.”
Swiss star Federer had a much easier time, strolling to a 6-3, 6-2 win over a frustrated Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer and Nadal have met 27 times previously with Nadal having won 18 clashes, including four of the last five.
“We’ve played 27 times. It will be the first time here at Indian Wells,” said Nadal. “I have a fantastic match to enjoy and to try to play aggressive.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.
The top two women in the world reached the Indian Wells final as Victoria Azarenka eased through in straight sets, while Maria Sharapova advanced when her opponent retired with an injury.
World number one Azarenka extended her season-long match win streak to 22-0 by beating German Angelique Kerber 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-final on centre court.
Russia’s world number two Sharapova, who won the 2006 Indian Wells title, advanced to the final when a distraught Ana Ivanovic retired from the other semi-final with a hip injury.
“Azarenka is the one to beat right now and is playing some amazing tennis and is full of confidence,” said Sharapova. “I hope I go out in the final and just play some good tennis.”
Reigning Australian Open champion Azarenka has three titles already this year and has now reached the final of her last six tournaments.
“I am so excited because this is the first time for me to be in the final. I love to play here,” said Azarenka.
Azarenka’s win streak is the longest on the WTA Tour since 1997, when Martina Hingis won 37 in a row. Serena Williams had a 21-match win streak in 2003.
Federer, Nadal set up semi-final clash
In the men’s draw, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer set up their first semi-final clash with contrasting victories over their Argentine opponents.
Nadal, who is chasing his first title of 2012, survived an opening set scare en route to a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 win over David Nalbandian in their quarter-final match.
“It was very difficult,” said Nadal. “I was a bit more nervous than usual.
“Nalbandian always gives me problems on my game, and that probably makes me feel a little bit unsafe before the match. That’s why I had more mistakes than expected.”
Swiss star Federer had a much easier time, strolling to a 6-3, 6-2 win over a frustrated Juan Martin del Potro.
Federer and Nadal have met 27 times previously with Nadal having won 18 clashes, including four of the last five.
“We’ve played 27 times. It will be the first time here at Indian Wells,” said Nadal. “I have a fantastic match to enjoy and to try to play aggressive.”
Published in The Express Tribune, March 18th, 2012.