Seed No.11 Victoria Azarenka upset world No.1 and top seed Serena Williams 6-3 6-1 to claim the biggest title in her career.

The 19-year-old Belorussian denied the American a record sixth Sony Ericsson Open title and at the same time became only the sixth teenage champion in tournament history, joining Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Steffi Graf, Venus Williams and Gabriela Sabatini.

Williams gave Azarenka credit for winning the final, even though Williams’ left thigh was heavily strapped and she was struggling with her movement. I agree that Azarenka's capability shouldn't be denied, especially when we have in mind their last meeting, when Azarenka had to retire because of very evident illness, despite taking the first set.

The Belorussian won her first WTA singles title three months ago in Brisbane, and has now already added the third one to her resume.

Currently at the career high ranking of No.10, Azarenka will rise even more, to a career best No.8. Williams will remain No.1.

Winning the Sony Ericsson Open Azarenka earned $700,000 and Williams received $350,000. (photo via Sky Sports)

Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will play each other for the third time in their careers and the second time in 2009 to fight for the Sony Ericsson Open title.

The 19-year-old Azarenka was the first to reach the final, beating Svetlana Kuznetsova in the semis. Serena Williams joined the world No.10 after winning the 20th career encounter with sister Venus 6-4 3-6 6-3.

It will be very interesting to see this final, as Azarenka could make a big breakthrough by defeating the top-ranked player in the world, the defending champion and also the five-time Miami titlist in the biggest final of her career.

Also, remember this year’s Australian Open? Azerenka and Williams met in the fourth round, with Azarenka winning the first set, but having to retire in the second due to dizziness and illness. The Belorussian was playing superbly and was capable of pulling off an upset, but she was so sick that she almost collapsed on court. Therefore, the Sony Ericsson Open final is a great second chance for Azarenka.

Also, it shouldn’t be forgotten that should Serena claim her sixth Sony Ericsson Open title, she will make a record. At five, the American is currently equaled with Steffi Graf. (photos: Ralf Reinecke)

World number one and top seed Serena Williams has come to be only two victories away from a record sixth Sony Ericsson Open title after beating China’s Li Na 4-6 7-6(1) 6-2 to reach the semifinals.

The 27-year-old Li raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set, and even though Williams won the next four games, Li took the opening set. The second set was decided in a tiebreak which Williams won 7-1. The five-time Miami champion was quick to capitalize in the third set.

In the semifinals, Williams could face a 20th career meeting with sister Venus, if Venus beats Iveta Benesova in their quarterfinal.

The other semifinal will feature Svetlana Kuznetsova and Victoria Azarenka. (source: Sony Ericsson Open, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Jelena Jankovic’s terrible 2009 season is rapidly going even more downwards. After losing her opening match at the previous tournament, the BNP Paribas Open, Jankovic succumbed to Gisela Dulko in her opening match at the Sony Ericsson Open. Venus and Serena Williams, on the other hand, continued to do well, and both advanced to the third round in straight sets.

We have to mention that Dulko didn’t defeat the third-seeded Jankovic easily. Jankovic led 4-2 before losing the first set, and then in the second led 5-2 with two set points in that game and another at 5-3, and also led 5-2 in the tiebreak. The last year’s runner-up eventually lost 6-4 7-6(5).

Five-time Sony Ericsson Open champion Serena Williams, the No.1 seed, defeated American wildcard Alexa Glatch 6-2 6-3, while fifth-seeded Venus Williams was down a break in both sets against Shahar Peer, but won 6-3 6-3. (source: Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Top-ranked Serena Williams has been named the WTA Tour Player of the Year for the second time in her career.

The 10-time Grand Slam champion, who won the same award in 2002, claimed the US Open title last year and reached the Wimbledon final. She also won Bangalore, Miami and Charleston, as well as a gold medal with sister Venus in the doubles at the Beijing Olympics.

Other awarded players:

Cara Black and Liezel Huber – Team of the Year

Dinara Safina – Most Improved Player of the Year

Zheng Jie – Comeback Player of the Year

Caroline Wozniacki – Newcomer of the Year

Ana Ivanovic – Humanitarian of the Year

Elena Dementieva – Karen Krantzcke sportsmanship award

Liezel Huber – Player Service Award

The ceremony to honor the award winners was held Thursday at the Sony Ericsson Open. Williams didn’t attend it.

Remind yourselves of who won the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards for 2007. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Serena Williams's collection of accessories and clothing called Signature Statement will debut on Home Shopping Network on April 30th.

"I always want to make a statement, both on and off the court," said the world No.1. "One of my dreams has always been to share gorgeous gifts of fashion and luxury with the world. Off the court, my passion is fashion. Signature Statement is my own line of accessories and fashion, complete from jewelry to dresses."

The collection will retail from $29.95 to $100. Serena describes the accessories as "feminine, classic, statement pieces." Read more »

A reader suggested an interesting article from Los Angeles Times, which analyzes how much Serena and Venus Williams are compromising because of not entering the BNP Paribas Open, and also how much Maria Sharapova is missing for playing doubles only. Here we’ll focus on world No.1 Serena Williams only.

The annual prize money is increased from $63.6 to $84.4 million. The Top 10 players who participate in all four premier tournaments, one of which is the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, will share a bonus pool, worth $1.9 million. Player with season-ending No.1 ranking will earn $400,000.

However, if you don't play in one of the four events, for whatever reason, you get no money and no ranking points. Plus, you will be fined for skipping the tournament unless you participate in a tour-mandated public relations event. Were Serena Williams to skip her makeup duty, she will be fined $75,000.

Here’s how LA Times sums it up mathematically:

If Serena finishes No. 1, her first loss would be the $400,000 from the bonus pool. If she decides to ignore the makeup appearance, that would be another $75,000. By not playing, she misses a chance at first-place money here of $700,000. Were she to team with Venus and win the doubles, that would be $118,500, her half of $237,000. That's $1,293,500.

Then, there are endorsements. One WTA official speculated that Serena's Nike contract, just as one example, "might have as much as two million dollars of incentive money for ending up No. 1." Winning at Indian Wells is worth 1,000 ranking points. Serena, who now leads No.2 Dinara Safina by 422, gets zero.

So, conceivably, Serena's rejection of Indian Wells could have cost her more than $3 million, or about 13% of her career tennis winnings of $23 million.

Well, it's great when you have so much money to lose. (photo: Ralf Reinecke)

World number one Serena Williams has given her official website a completely new look, yay!

Those of you familiar with the website's old design must be welcoming the change. The website seems much more professional now, it’s easier to navigate, the color palette is way more beautiful (actually, I love it!), and it has quite enough information on Serena including her upcoming and past schedule, photo gallery, Serena TV, biography, and more.

Serena’s welcoming us to her redesigned website saying:

I'm so excited for my new site to be up. It's been a long, withstanding effort to get it just right. I hope you all enjoy it!

My favorite website of a women’s tennis player is still Ana Ivanovic’s (I believe she’s unbeatable in that department), but I’m very pleased with Serena’s efforts. Good job!