Still work to do, says Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka insists she can topple Serena Williams from her perch despite slumping to an eighth defeat in eight Grand Slam meetings against the 17-time major champion.
For the second year in succession, the 24-year-old world No 2 came up short in the US Open final against the veteran American, losing another three-setter in the longest women's final in more than 30 years.
The defeat took her career record against the world No 1 to 3-13.
But Azarenka was trying to take the smallest comfort from those statistics with two of those wins coming this year in the Doha and Cincinnati finals after a four-year drought.
"I don't think there was much of a difference today or Cincinnati. I think the quality of the game and the quality of determination was the same," Azarenka said on Sunday after her 7-5, 6-7 (6), 6-1 loss.
"I think overall the match from last year is a different story. It showed maybe not a different Serena, but it showed a different me as a player. And I felt that way.
"So I think that it's important to just try to go for those chances. I can't wait for the next chance."
Victoria Azarenka celebrates a point against Serena Williams during their final at the US open in New York on Sunday. Eduardo Munoz / Reuters |