Azarenka claims default W&S Open title after hamstrung Osaka withdraws
TWO-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka has won the easiest final of her long and illustrious career – defeating Naomi Osaka without having to put a foot on court – at the 2020 Western & Southern Open. It was the first time the Belarusian had claimed a WTA Tour title, announced victor in the Premier 5 event after Osaka was forced to withdraw from the final due to hamstring issues.
No one could say Azarenka did not earn the title however, with the world number 59 only dropping one set on the way to the title.
“I think it’s unfortunate, because I was actually really looking forward to compete against Naomi,” Azarenka told press via video chat. “ “It would have been an amazing opportunity to face her level, and she’s been playing really great. I lost to her last time that we played, so I was really looking forward to that.
“And playing the final is always really special… I just have to accept what it is. “I would have loved to have played, but, you know, I played five really good matches this week, and I think I deserve to be where I am today.”
It was Azarenka’s first tournament of the year after sitting out the summer and then having been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and she made it count with wins over the red-hot Ons Jabeur and top eight seed Johanna Konta, as well as wins over Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia and Alize Cornet, following a Round of 64 upset over 15th seed Donna Vekic. It was the first time since this corresponding tournament last year that Azarenka had claimed a win in singles. Now she looks ahead to the US Open starting tomorrow.
“I’m excited to go out there and play,” Azarenka said. “My confidence level, I don’t think it changed just based on the result that I won here. “I felt pretty confident in my work that I have been doing.
“So the result is just confirmation that what I have been doing is right, but going on the court, I have been pretty confident in my abilities. “It’s just putting those things together now. It shows that it’s the right work that I have been doing.”
Azarenka begins her Round of 128 match at Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, facing off against Dutchwoman, Barbara Haas.
Picture: Getty Images
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