Azarenka through to final; Maresmo retires from semifinal match against Bartoli

No. 2 seed Victoria Azarenka showed signs of great tennis in her semifinal match on Friday, as she was the first player to reach the final of the Brisbane International, while No. 3 seed Marion
Bartoli followed.

Azarenka's opponent was Italian Sara Errani, and the Belorussian beat Errani in easy straight sets, 63 61, in just over an hour.

"I'm obviously very happy - I just want to do better than the last time and win my first title," said Azarenka. "I will fight for every point. It's the last match so you have to give everything you have and stay positive no matter what."

Bartoli reserved the spot in the final after leading No. 5 seed Amelie Mauresmo 4-0, but then the former world No. 1 retired with a left thigh strain.

"It happened in the second game," Mauresmo said. "It wasn't such a big pain so I kept going but I really couldn't push off the serve and move the way I wanted. "It's frustrating and not how you want to end the tournament but I guess it's more sensible to make sure I'm 100% for Melbourne," she added.


Friday, January 9, 2009

Singles - Semifinals
(2) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Sara Errani (ITA) 63 61
(3) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. (5) Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) 40 ret. (left thigh strain)