Miami: Azarenka vs Kuznetsova
Victoria Azarenka takes on Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the Miami Open.
Victoria Azarenka takes on Svetlana Kuznetsova in the final of the Miami Open.
USANA brand ambassador Sloane Stephens shared with us her special recipe for her favorite pre-match shake – and you can make it right at home with a couple of ingredients and a USANA Nutrimeal.
For a shake with loads of energy and just the right amount of sweetness, combine strawberries and blueberries with USANA’s French Vanilla Nutrimeal. Check out Sloane’s video above to see how she makes hers.
Drink your shake about 30 to 60 minutes before your match or workout.
Here’s everything you need:
USANA is the Official Vitamin & Supplement Supplier of the WTA, and over 170 Athletes – including 8 out of the Top 10 and 15 out of the Top 20 use USANA products. Former No.1 Caroline Wozniacki, Samantha Stosur, Eugenie Bouchard, and Madison Keys are among several USANA ambassadors, and 2016 marks the 10th Anniversary of the USANA-WTA partnership.
An interview with Victoria Azarenka after her win in the final of the Miami Open.
KEY INFORMATION:
Tournament Level: Premier
Prize Money: $753,000
Draw Size: 56 main draw (8 byes)/32 qualifying
Qualifying Dates: Saturday, April 2 – Sunday, April 3
First Day of Main Draw: Monday, April 4
Singles Final: Sunday, April 10, NB 1.00pm EDT
Doubles Final: Sunday, April, 10.30am EDT
MUST FOLLOW SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:
@WTA
@WTA_Insider – WTA Insider, Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen
@VolvoCarOpen – official tournament handle
Get involved in conversations with the official hashtags, #VCO2016 and #WTA.
TOURNAMENT NOTES:
· Angelique Kerber returns as top seed to defend her title.
· There have been three different champions in the past three years in Charleston. There are four returning champions in the field this year – Kerber (2016), Andrea Petkovic (2014), Samantha Stosur (2010) and Sabine Lisicki (2009).
· For the complete draw click here.
WILDCARDS:
Frances Altick (USA), Louisa Chirico (USA), Shelby Rogers (USA)
WITHDRAWALS:
Jelena Jankovic (right shoulder), Petra Cetkovska (right thigh)
MIAMI, FL, USA – Former No.1 Victoria Azarenka continues her climb back to the top, overpowering Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-2 in the final to claim the Miami Open title and secure her return to the WTA Top 5.
Watch highlights, interviews and more video from Miami right here on wtatennis.com!
Azarenka, a two-time champion here in Miami, won her third title of 2016 in dominating fashion without dropping a set. Even more impressive, her back-to-back titles in Indian Wells and Miami complete the Sunshine Double, a feat last achieved 11 years ago.
The on-form Belarusian, who has only lost one match all year, broke in Kuznetsova’s opening service game and quickly held for a 2-0 lead. That lone hold of serve would turn out to be vital, as Azarenka was able to weather the seven consecutive breaks that followed and still hang on to the lead.
In the second set Azarenka’s powerful game came together as she wore down Kuznetsova from the baseline, running the Russian all over the court. Azarenka kept up the intensity throughout the match, hitting 23 winners to Kuznetsova’s 8 while Kuznetsova struck 22 unforced errors to her opponent’s 18.
Sunshine Double ☀️
Indian Wells AND Miami champion, @Vika7! ? #WTA https://t.co/hYMG1vBWcI
— WTA (@WTA) April 2, 2016
After Azarenka claimed the match and the Miami title in an hour and 17 minutes, Kuznetsova had nothing but praise for her in-form opponent in her runner-up speech.
“I’d like to congratulate Victoria for doing such a good job this year and in these four weeks,” Kuznetsova said, delighting the Miami crowd by delivering the speech in both English and Spanish.
Azarenka was similarly effusive in her praise for Kuznetsova, who she’s played nine times since 2007.
“I want congratulate Sveta for the great result,” Azarenka said. “I know you’ve had a lot of ups and downs in your career and I’m so happy to see you again in top form producing some great tennis.”
The Belarusian also had an emotional dedication for the win, her twentieth career title:
“I want to dedicate this win to my family, for my parents, who I don’t see very often but my parents taught me some really great things.
“They gave me roots so I always know where I come from and they gave me wings so I can fly, so I can be here. Thank you so much.”
With the win, Azarenka also cements her position as No.1 on the Road To Singapore Leaderboard, leapfrogging Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber for the top spot.
Svetlana Kuznetsova has Thursday’s shot of the day at the Miami Open.
WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen | Victoria Azarenka looks to become the third woman to win the Sunshine Double against 2006 Miami champ Svetlana Kuznetsova. Follow it all live right here!
Svetlana Kuznetsova takes on Timea Bacsinszky in the semifinals of the Miami Open.
MIAMI, FL, USA – On this special Dropshot Edition of the podcast, WTA Insider Senior Writer Courtney Nguyen and WTA Web Editor David Kane preview the Miami Open final featuring the hottest player in 2016 in Victoria Azarenka against resurgent Russian veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova. The match starts at 1pm EST on Saturday.
Can Azarenka make history by becoming the first woman since 2005 to complete the Sunshine Double by winning both Indian Wells and Miami? Or will history repeat itself, with Kuznetsova once again stopping a bid for the double by winning Miami. She did it once in 2006. A decade later, she could do it again.