Williams tops Azarenka at WTA Championships
Williams tops Azarenka at WTA Championships
ISTANBUL — Serena Williams extended her dominance over the top-ranked player in the world on Thursday, defeating Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 at the WTA Championships.
Williams improved to 11-1 overall against Azarenka, winning the last nine matches. Williams beat Azarenka in the semifinals of Wimbledon and at the London Olympics.
Despite the loss, Azarenka can secure the No. 1 position with another victory in the round-robin tournament, which features the top eight players.
Li Na beat Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-4, 6-3 in another Red Group to retain a slim chance of advancing. Sara Errani defeated Samantha Stosur 6-3, 2-6, 6-0 in the White Group.
Ferrer into Valencia quarters with easy win
VALENCIA, Spain — David Ferrer cruised to a 6-4, 6-2 victory over fellow Spaniard Albert Ramos on Thursday to reach the quarterfinals of the Valencia Open.
Ferrer, seeded No. 1 at the indoor tournament, served well and broke his 47th-ranked opponent four times in a much easier match after a labored first-round victory. The fifth-ranked Spaniard next faces Nicolas Almagro, who defeated American Sam Querrey 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-0.
Marcel Granollers extended his dominance of Gilles Simon with a 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2 win — the reigning champ’s fourth in five career meetings.
Granollers will play Alexandr Dolgopolov in the quarters after the Ukrainian beat Gilles Muller of Luxembourg 6-4, 6-4.
From wire sources