Ousted Azarenka unsure of finishing on top

Top seed beaten by Serena in straight sets at WTA Championships.

ISTANBUL/ AFP: World number one Victoria Azarenka remains in suspense as to whether she will capture the year-end top spot after losing to Serena Williams for the fifth time in five meetings this year.

The Belarusian’s 6-4, 6-4 loss to the American in the WTA Championships means she may have to beat Li Na, the former French Open champion from China to be sure of becoming number one at the end of 2012.

“When I did the right things I was in control much of the time, but I didn’t have the consistency today,” said Azarenka, who declined to make her tiring three-hour match with Angelique Kerber an excuse.

“I had too many opportunities I didn’t use. I will be a little bit sad, but I need to bounce back straight away.”

Williams had already qualified for the semi-finals with her second win, against Li Na, and now finishes her group matches unbeaten. She had also beaten Azarenka in their US Open final encounter last month.

“I have been practising hard and expected to play better,” said Williams, who finished with 35 winners and 11 aces. “Hopefully as time goes on, I will get better. If not, I hope to play better next year.”

Her win means that if Li beats Azarenka, and if Maria Sharapova, who is already sure of a semi-final place, were to go on to regain the WTA Championships title, the Russian would snatch the year-end top spot.

Hence Azarenka’s desire to refocus fast as she faces a must-win match against Li Na.

“I will give everything to win,” she said. “I will give two hundred percent. I have another opportunity to stay in the tournament and to keep the dream alive.”

Published in The Express Tribune, October 27^th, 2012.