Top-ranked Serena Williams, her injured left thigh wrapped, failed in
her bid to win a record sixth Sony Ericsson Open title on Saturday afternoon. Williams lacked speed and energy, and was upset
in the final 6-3, 6-1 by upstart 19-year-old Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
Upon winning the match, an incredulous Azarenka ripped off her visor,
buried her head into her hands, and screamed. The Belarussian with the long, blonde braid rises to No. 8 in the world with
her performance on Key Biscayne.
"I think I forget my English right now,'' she said during the award ceremony.
"It was such an honor to play Serena because she is such a great champion. I can't believe I beat her. Lately, I started believing
in myself more, believing I can win tournaments, I can play good.''
She admitted she was jittery on match point. It took her three match
points to close out the match.
"I was so nervous. I couldn't believe I had match point. I was thinking,
'If I win this point, don't know what I'm going to do', and then I double-faulted.'' Williams would have broken Steffi Graf's
record of six Key Biscayne titles had she won. She is 52-6 on these courts. She looked listless from the start, and had 34
unforced errors.
''It's definitely tough, I'm just glad to have made it this far,'' Williams
said. ``I'm not one to make excuses, so I give Victoria all the credit.''
