Azarenka Fights Off Goerges to Claim Linz Title

World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka won her sixth WTA title of the year over Julia Goerges in the finals of Linz.

By Tennis Now Staff

(October 13, 2012) -- World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka fought off a late second-set charge from Julia Goerges to claim her sixth title of 2012 at the Generali Ladies Linz event.

Azarenka, who had only dropped eleven games en route to the finals, got off to a quick start against Goerges by breaking the German's serve for a 2-1 lead. But Goerges stayed in touch with Azarenka with the help of several blazing forehand winners before a string of errors late in the set allowed Azarenka to break Goerges at love and take the set 6-3.

Frustrated by her inability to finish off the extended rallies with a winner of her own, Goerges dropped her opening service game in the second set as Azarenka went on to win five games in a row. Down 0-5, Goerges finally held serve and with the help of some potent forehand return winners, broke Azarenka for the first time for 2-5.

Goerges once again found herself down 0-40 on her serve but proceeded to save three match points in a row with inspired play. Azarenka served for the match again at 5-3 and soon held a fourth match point only to watch Goerges save it with a crosscourt backhand winner and then go on to break Azarenka again.

Now only down 4-5, Goerges came to within two points of pulling even with Azarenka. But Goerges netted a backhand handing Azarenka a fifth match point. A final overcooked forehand from Goerges allowed Azarenka to breathe a sigh of relief as she claimed a 6-3, 6-4 victory.

Goerges was satisfied with her performance overall. "I saw I had the chance to stay with the No. 1 player in the world and even change the match from 5-0 down." The German was also happy to reach her second final at this event. "Even though I didn't win, I'm happy with my tournament."

Azarenka was a first-timer at Linz. "I was coming to [this event] for the first time, and everywhere you go you try to win, and I'm really happy I could go all the way through this tournament," shared Azarenka at her press conference. "I'm happy to end the week with such a beautiful trophy and a smile on my face." Azarenka did not drop a set all week, is now on a 13 match win streak since the U.S. Open finals.

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GENERALI LADIES LINZ

Linz, Austria

October 8-14, 2012

$220,000/International

Hard/Indoors

RESULTS -- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2012

Singles – Final
(1) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (5) Julia Goerges (GER) 63 64

Doubles – Final
(1) Groenefeld/Peschke (GER/CZE) d. (2) Goerges/Zahlavova Strycova (GER/CZE) 63 64

Tournament Website: Generali Ladies Linz | Live Scores | Draws | TV Schedule