STANFORD, California, Aug 2 (AFP): Eighth seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus overwhelmed Russian fifth seed Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 in Sunday�s WTA tournament final here to win her first title of the season.
A day after her 21st birthday, Azarenka broke the Russian three times in the first set then took advantage of Sharapova�s 16 unforced errors in the second set while committing only one to win the 700,000-dollar hardcourt event.
�I haven�t lost a match yet since I turned 21,� Azarenka said. �It�s great. I can have cake now.�
Azarenka, who will jump to 12th in the world rankings, improved to 19-5 this season on hardcourts, the surface where she has won her four career WTA titles and where she will play at the US Open later this month.
�It just brings me so much confidence and passion to go, especially before the US Open,� Azarenka said. �I�m glad I�m picking up my form and gaining so much confidence.�
Sharapova, who had won 17 of 20 prior matches, missed a chance to claim her third title of the year. She will improve to 13th in the rankings as she shos her best form since returning from a shoulder injury in May of 2009.
�I started making unforced errors off her returns and she stepped it up, took advantage and started to get on a roll,� Sharapova said. �I don�t think I served that smart. I need a higher percentage of first serves, in general and particularly against her.�
Azarenka took the 107,000-dollar top prize and improved to 2-2 lifetime against Sharapova, her first victory over the Russian since 2007.
Azarenka needed four set points but finally took the first set when Sharapova sent a backhand wide. Azarenka twice rallied from 0-30 to hold serve, denying the Russian a third break to level.
�Maria is a great player. I had to dig my way in,� Azarenka said. �I was running a lot. It was tough to hold my serve. I had to play really well. I�m glad I kept fighting. Point by point it worked for me.�
Azarenka broke Sharapova to open the second set and again to seize a 4-1 lead and in the final game, which she claimed at love when Sharapova netted a forehand.
�I tried to start aggressive right away and not let her come in,� Azarenka said. �When she gets on a roll it�s hard to keep up. I had to be on top of her every moment and not give her the chance to come back.�
