Azarenka edges Williams in epic

(Rank/Seed)

The final was everything anyone could have asked for; a classic battle between the world's top 2 players that featured ebbs and flows, drama and passion. In the end, (2/2) Azarenka overcame the odds to defeat (1/1) Williams 26 62 76(6) for only her 3rd victory in their 15 career matches, but her 2nd in 3 this year.

1st Set
Williams was on fire to begin, hitting winners for fun particularly off her forehand. Azarenka in contrast was a bundle of nerves, opening her 1st service game with 2 double faults. She was barely able to move or find the court and Williams romped through in under 30 minutes.

2nd Set
Azarenka changed her tactics, looking to take the ball earlier. It paid off immediately as she broke Williams in the 2nd game for the 1st time. William's forehand began to crumble, as did her serve. She held only once during the set, and that was after saving 8 break points in an intense 11 deuce 6th game.

3rd Set
Azarenka continued to return astutely and crafted herself the 1st break of the set to lead 4-2. Despite leading 30-0 in the next game, Williams came back with a vengeance; her forehand finding its range. Things looked ominous for the world number 2 when Williams broke to serve for the match at 5-4, but once again Azarenka's solid returns (often down the centre of the court to the baseline) caught Williams off guard. The two held serve through to the breaker which was played out nervously. A surprising double fault from Williams at 5-5 saw Azarenka reach match point, only for Serena to save it with a powerful backhand return. Azarenka quickly saw another after hitting an insane forehand volley winner, her 20th winner of the match. Williams responded on the next point by hitting her 46th unforced error of the encounter to give Azarenka the match.

Azarenka hit 30 unforced errors during the match, whilst Williams hit 43 winners and actually won points than her opponent as she was the clear aggressor. Azarenka's win was a testament to her undoubted self belief; never giving in, even after the diabolic 1st set. It was Azarenka's 3rd title of the year and her 1st at Cincinnati. For Williams, it was only her 4th loss of the season as her wait for the title here remains.