Last night in Miami quarterfinals, Marion Bartoli ended Victoria Azarenka’s 26-match winning streak, which included titles in Sydney, Melbourne, Doha, and Indian Wells. However, the world No.1 is not mourning the loss, at least according to her statements on Twitter. She’s motivated to work even harder and prepare for the clay season, but as Tennis.com reports, she will take a long break from the competition, probably until Madrid, the second week of May.
The 26 victories are a great accomplishment, but they did drain the top-seeded Azarenka:
Physically I was just not able to do anything today. It was just not possible. You know, I’m a human, not a super woman. I wish I could be but I’m not.
Aggressive and confident Bartoli defeated Azarenka 6-3 6-3 and ended her 2012 streak, which was the best start to a WTA season since Martina Hingis won 37 in a row in 1997. To honor Azarenka’s consistency and success, I’ve compiled the names of all the players she defeated this season, from rising stars to established champions and solid players of today:
Stefanie Voegele, Jelena Jankovic, Marion Bartoli, Agnieszka Radwanska – four times, Li Na, Heather Watson – twice, Casey Dellacqua, Mona Barthel – three times, Iveta Benesova, Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova – twice, Simona Halep, Yanina Wickmayer, Sam Stosur, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Julia Goerges, Angelique Kerber, Dominika Cibulkova, Michaella Krajicek.
Are you sad that the streak is over? Did you enjoy Azarenka’s dominance these three months? (photo: © Neal Trousdale)
No, I’m not. No, I didn’t.
Tulp, I was glad that we had someone’s dominance after a long period without it.
I’m neutral regarding Vika streak but I was seriously pissed off that Sam Sumyk (on the photo) took off his micro when entering the court to avoid that people and TV hear what he was saying. Moreover, he was whispering as the photo shows it. And it’s not the first time that it happens.
“WTA reprimanded Sumyk”. ohhhh, he was reprimanded! Probably like a 1-year old baby.
Is it a joke or what??? It’s like when a player gets a $2000 fine when he earned a six-figure number. They should do 50% penalty of the gain of the player during the tournament, and such situation won’t happen again.
And BTW, there was the opposite situation with Caroline and Piotr the day after. Piotr was obviously a few times (!) on court for Caroline against Masha. They were speaking Polish and nobody (!) was understanding.
I open a parenthesis: can’t TV have a Polish translator? Because between Agnieska and Caro, there are some good opportunities to translate. I close the parenthesis.
Anyway, at the next change-over, Brad Gilbert for ESPN went to Piotr and started to interview him. Piotr was kind enough to answer in English and explained what he was advising to his daughter. A very good dialog started between Brad and Piotr about the best strategy to beat Masha!!! It was really cool.
Marija, contrary to the common opinion, I do not see “someone’s dominance” as desirable, let alone necessary. I find it exciting the way things are: all the big titles and No. 1 ranking are up for grabs; any excellent female player (and there are many!) can grab them – big, small, “old” or young… Is that not only natural? And, by the way, is the wish to have a dominating figure not really a projection of our own petty, egocentric longing to club everyone else into submission?
Gregoire, on the stream I was watching, there was some audio-leakage, and Samyuk’s advises, containing master-coach-secrets that the world should not be allowed to hear, can be summarised as follows [paraphrasing]: “You have to do something, change something… I don’t know what… But, do change something!” No wonder the master felt the urge to block it.
I’m agree with both Marija and Tulpa.
One hand, I’m glad we finally have a consistent and slam-winner Nº1.
On the other hand, I like that many players on the tour are fighting back. We have an also consistent Sharapova; a strong Kvitova (she has been sick these last couple of months and never do well in USA but I think she’ll be back next month); Radwanksa and Stosur reaching their best; Wozniacki eager to get her Nº1 back; Li Na regaining the level she has the first part of 2011; Ivanovic coming back; the always fearsome Williams Sisters and Clijsters.
I think we’re gonna have an exciting 2012!
@Tulp I hope that he didn’t say “I don’t know what…” lol. Well, according to the result, he might have said that!