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Azarenka & Sharapova to Play for Stuttgart Title

WTA Stuttgart - Semifinal Results & Final Preview

1 Victoria Azarenka d Agnieszka Radwanska -61 63

2 Maria Sharapova d 3 Petra Kvitova -64 76(3)

1 Victoria Azarenka vs 2 Maria Sharapova - H2H: 5-3/VA

No time to post a real story.

But, going into tomorrow's final Vika has destroyed Maria twice this year.

And in 2 big finals: Australian Open and at Indian Wells.

Their 1 meeting on clay came last year - Maria won it by retirement.

Screamfest 2012 part 3 tomorrow - adjust TV volume accordingly.

Photos: Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka Battles into Stuttgart Semifinals

WTA Stuttgart - Quarterfinal

1 Victoria Azarenka d WC Mona Barthel - 64 67(3) 75

Hard fought and won. Nicely done Vika.

This is her 1st tourny since losing her only match of '12 in the Qf's at Miami.

She is now 28-1 and looking for her 5th title on the year.

And will face 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - H2H: 9-3/VA.

This is the 5th time they've played this season Vika has won them all.

In fact, Aga has only managed 8 games in their last 2 matches.

To make things even more interesting - their friendship has gone frosty.

This one will me good.

Photo: Getty Images

Marion Bartoli Hands Victoria Azarenka Her 1st Loss on the Season in Quarterfinals at Miami

WTA Miami - Quarterfinals

7 Marion Bartoli d 1 Victoria Azarenka - 63 63

Marion controlled a very tired looking Vika from the start.

This will be her 2nd Miami Sf: 0-1, and 4th at a Premier Mandatory: 1-2.

She will next face Agnieszka Radwanska - she's never won in 6 matches.

Vika, the defending champion, suffered her first loss on the season: 26-1.

It's one of the best starts ever on the WTA tour.

Vika post match: Well, I feel disappointed, for sure. Who wouldn't be?

But what I've done in the last couple of months...

I have to be really proud of myself.

Indeed.

Photos: Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka Comes Back from the Dead to Win 4th Round Match at Miami

WTA Miami - Fourth Round

1 Victoria Azarenka d 16 Dominika Cibulkova - 16 76(7) 75

So Vika woke up and rallied from the brink: 16 15. A struggle all the way.

Even more surprising - when did Cibs sneak up that high in the rankings?

Anyway, Vika remains undefeated this year gets the 7th seed Bartoli next.

Post match she was asked about whether her streak was a factor today.

She replied emphatically: I don't care about the streak.

Suuuuuure.

Photo: Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka Wins WTA Title at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Final

1 Victoria Azarenka d Maria Sharapova - 62 63

The girl is unbeatable: 23-0.

4th straight title of 2012: Sydney, Aussie Open, Doha and now Indian Wells.

And Vika heads to Miami as the defending champion.

This is the 2nd time Vika has destroyed Maria this year (Aussie Open final).

Vika: There's nothing I do particularly differently against her...

I'm just trying to do my best and play every point.

I know Maria is a fighter though, so I know I can't relax even a little bit.

If she has a window she'll take it...

So I had to be aggressive and keep the pressure on.

Vika pads her lead over Maria & Petra at #1.

Get use to it - she's gonna be there awhile.

Photo: Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka & Maria Sharapova Set-up Aussie Rematch in Final at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Semifinals

1 Victoria Azarenka d 18 Angelique Kerber - 64 63

2 Maria Sharapova d 15 Ana Ivanovic - 64 01 ret.

Final: 1 Victoria Azarenka vs 2 Maria Sharapova H2H: 4-3/Vika

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Vika is off to a perfect start to the year: 22-0. Which includes 3 titles.

Can she head to Miami still undefeated?

Remember: Vika destroyed Maria in the Aussie final in January - 63 60.

But Maria has tasted victory at Indian Wells as champion in '07.

Odd, but true: Only the 3rd time since '05 #'s 1 & 2 have met in a WTA final.

One thing is a given - this will shatter decibel level records.

I'll be watching this one on mute.

Photos: Reuters

Victoria Azarenka Goes 21-0 on the Year with Quarterfinal Win at Indian Wells

WTA Indian Wells - Quarterfinal

1 Victoria Azarenka d 5 Agnieszka Radwanska - 60 62

At the end of this match Vika actually served to make it a double bagel.

Vika has played 4 tourny's this year and in each she's had to go thru Aga.

No wonder I'm hearing that this one-time friendship has gone frosty.

For Aga's sake hopefully she can draw someone other than Vika's draw.

Vika will face (18) Angelique Kerber in the Sf's - they've never played.

Um... Look for Vika to gain her 5th straight final on the season.

She is starting to enter Novak-esque territory.

Photo: Reuter

Victoria Azarenka Remains Unbeaten in 2012 as She Takes Doha Title

WTA Doha - Final

1 Victoria Azarenka d 3 Samantha Stosur - 61 62

Well that was... decisive.

Vika is on a stunning roll in 2012; 17-0 bagging 3 titles: Sydney, AO & Doha.

Impressive: In those 17 match wins she has only dropped 4 sets.

Even more impressive: In her 5 matches in Doha she lost a mere 18 games.

Crazy stuff.

She is the top seed at this weeks event at Dubai.

She has a 1st R bye and will play the winner of Kuznetsova/Georges.

Can she remain unbeaten thru 4 tournies? I'd bet on her.

Photo: Getty Images

Injured Victoria Azarenka into Doha Final

WTA Doha - Semifinal

1 Victoria Azarenka d 4 Agnieszka Radwanska - 62 64

Early in the 2nd set Vika went down with an ankle injury.

Vika: I don't know how it happened.

But I just focused on each point until the painkillers kicked in and...

I'm happy to pull it out.

If it went to a third set I don't know what would have happened.

Will she be able to return for tomorrow's final against (3) Sam Stosur?

Sam advanced after Marion Bartoli retired before the start of the 2nd set.

Vika has never lost a set to Sam in their previous 5 meetings.

Vika has not lost a match this year: 16-0 - including 2 tournament wins.

It'd be a shame if she couldn't take the court at 100% tomorrow.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic & Victoria Azarenka Take Their Aussie Trophies on a Tour of Melbourne

Not only Aussie champions - but also a pair of good looking #1's.

Photos: Getty Images

The 2012 Australian Open Champions

Men's Champion - Novak Djokovic

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Women's Champion - Victoria Azarenka

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Men's Doubles - Radek Stepanek & Leander Paes

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Women's Doubles - Svetlana Kuznetsova & Vera Zvonareva

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Mixed Doubles - Bethanie Mattek-Sands & Horia Tecau

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Photos: Getty Images

Victoria Azarenka Wins 2012 Australian Open

Australian Open Women's Final

3 Victoria Azarenka d 4 Maria Sharapova - 63 60

With the win Vika becomes the 4th straight maiden Grand Slam titlist.

Following Li Na (French), Petra Kvitova (Wimby), Samantha Stosur (US).

And she gets a 2-fer as the win secures her a spot as the #1 player.

In fact, she is the 1st player to ever jump to #1 without ever being #2 first.

Battle pending: Kvitova is a mere 885 points behind Vika at #2.

Things are looking bright for the WTA. Finally.

Bageled: Spare a thought for '08 champ Maria Sharapova...

This is the 2nd time she won only 3 games in an Aussie final.

In '07 she lost a thumper to Serena Williams - 61 62.

Anyway, welcome to the Slam club Vika - it's where you belong.

Maria Sharapova & Li Na Set Semifinal Date Tomorrow at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Women's Quarterfinals

6 Li Na d 4 Viktoria Azarenka - 75 62

7 Maria Sharapova d 15 Andrea Petkovic - 60 63

Hmm, I hate predicting results. Why? Cuz I go both of these wrong.

I would never have guessed that Petko would get a total of 3 games.

This is the first Sf for Maria since she won the Aussie Open in '08.

And Vika is gonna get past a Qf in a Slam one of these days.

Can Maria complete the career Slam in the next couple of days?

Photos: Reuters

Viktor/Victoria Move into 4th Round at Roland Garros

Roland Garros

Men: 15 Viktor Troicki d 21 Alexsandr Dolgopolov - 64 36 63 64

Serbia's second banana is putting together a very sweet run.

4th rounder: This is now the farthest he's ever gone in a Slam.

And he may just get thru the next one too against Andy Murray.

Andy went over on his ankle in his match today... It's a wait and see.

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Women: 4 Victoria Azarenka d 30 Roberta Vinci - 63 62

As many hours as I watch I have yet to see Vika strike a single ball on TV.

Future champ: Brad Gilbert has tipped her to take the title next Saturday.

That is if she doesn't retire another match this year.

Photos: Reuters

Petra Kvitova & Victoria Azarenka to Meet in Madrid Final

Madrid WTA Semifinals

16 Petra Kvitova (left) d 6 Li Na - 63 61

4 Victoria Azarenka (right) d Julia Goerges - 64 62

Both wins earn each lady a new rankings high...

Petra will move into the top 10 for the 1st time - 6th Czech lady to do so.

Petra: When I was young, I was inspired by Martina Navratilova.

She was Czech, played very offensive tennis and had very good volleys.

She was also left-handed. She was a star.

Victoria will move to a career high of #4 - highest ranked Belarusian ever.

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4 Victoria Azarenka vs 16 Petra Kvitova - H2H: 2-1/VA

Vika won their 1st two matches; Petra won their last - at Wimby last year.

Both ladies are looking to win their 3rd titles on the season.

Vika rolling: She's won 19 of her last 21 matches - retiring in those 2 losses.

Vika: It's going to be my last match here and I'm looking forward to it.

She's a great player and I'm really motivated.

It'll be a fun match with two women facing each other on the rise.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Women's Semifinal's Set at WTA Madrid

Madrid WTA Semifinal Preview

16 Petra Kvitova vs 6 Li Na - H2H: 0-0

Petra's win today moves her into the top 10 - 6th Czech woman to do so.

Awe, that make me think of Hana Mandlikova. I loved her.

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4 Victoria Azarenka vs Julia Goerges - H2H: 1-0/JG

Their previous match was played 2 weeks ago in the R16 at Stuttgart.

A win tomorrow for Vika would make her the highest ranked Belarusian ever.

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

ATP & WTA Weekend Winners for April 10, 2011

The ATP saw Pablo Andujar & Ryan Sweeting win their 1st tour titles today.

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Marbella WTA: 1 Victoria Azarenka d Q Irina-Camelia Gebu - 63 62

Vika makes it 2-in-a-row after winning at Miami last week.

Welcome to the top 5 girl!

Casablanca: Pablo Andujar d 5 Potito Starace - 61 62

Pablo is currently ranked #69. He is the 12th ranked Spaniard.

After today's win he should be up to #9 in Spain.

Charleston: 1 Caroline Wozniacki d Elena Vesnina - 62 63

This is Caro's 3rd title of 2011. And, yes, solidifies her #1 ranking.

Jet lag: She is playing an exo in Monte-Carlo tomorrow at 3. Phew.

Houston: WC Ryan Sweeting d 6 Kei Nishikori - 64 76(3)

Title #1 was accompanied with a jump in the River Oaks pool.

Ryan will see his ranking jump to just outside the top 50.

Quallies are gonna be a thing of the past.

Photos: AP/Reuters

Victoria Azarenka Wins WTA Title at Miami

Miami WTA Premier Mandatory - Final

8 Victoria Azarenka d 16 Maria Sharapova - 61 64

That score might easily have read 61 61 as Maria was getting beat down.

Maria woke up a little too late finally holding serve in the 13th game!

This is Vika's 2nd title at Miami - adding to the one she captured in '09.

This also represents her 6th WTA tour title.

She's been to 3 Slam Qf's - it's about time for her to go further, one thinks.

Rankings: Vika will move to a career high of #6 on Monday.

Maria will return to the top 10 for the first time in over 2 years.

So in a way it was a winning week for both gals. Well done.

Photo: Getty Images

Azarenka & Sharapova Shatter Decibel Levels

CBS has a good sense of humor. But, lordee jeez...

Photo: I took it of my TV, don't sue me CBS - I did it for the funny.

Victoria Azarenka Waits Out Rain Delay - Faces Maria Sharapova in Maimi WTA Final

Vika tweeted this very cute photo from Miami today.

She will be seeking a 2nd title in Miami tomorrow, she won in '09.

She faces Maria Sharapova in the final - H2H: 2-2.

This is Maria's 3rd final - she has yet to win in Miami.

LOUD: For my dog's sake I may have to watch on mute.