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By Sean Bradley
Photo Credit: Mark Howard
(April 2, 2011) The Sony Ericsson Open has yelled itself to a close for the women, as Victoria Azarenka wipes a flummoxed Maria Sharapova, 6-1, 6-4. In a fierce display of both shrill shrieking and some amazingly youthful tennis, Azarenka has been crowned champion in Miami.
The 8th ranked Belarusian began with a bang as Sharapova created many more unforced errors than usual. It appeared as though Azarenka would simple breeze through the match, but after a post-1st set pep talk from her coach, Thomas Hogstedt, Sharapova stepped up her game, combining hard and fast shots to the sides of the court with drop shots. Still, it was not enough to come back, as she gave up the second set 6-4.
Azarenka is now on top in their head-to-head comparison, 3-2 and seems to be only getting better. After winning Miami two years ago, she hasn’t fared well in this year’s slams. But if her performance today is telling of how the rest of the year will play out, she certainly has the potential to make some deep runs in the coming slams.