Serena loses to Victoria

Belarussian teenager Victoria Azarenka clinched the first major title of her career on Saturday by beating top seed and world number one Serena Williams 6-3, 6-1 in the Miami WTA hardcourt final. Williams, bidding to claim a record sixth title and third in a row, was badly affected by a left thigh injury which got worse as the match progressed.

Despite the defeat, the American was already assured of hanging on to her world number ranking for the 71st week of her career. It was a poor quality final. The players reached 3-3 in the first set before Serena, who had defeated sister Venus in the semi-finals, began to feel her thigh which was heavily-bandaged and which was also supporting her knee.

From that point on, the reigning US and Australian Open champion managed to win just one more game.

Williams said she had been battling injury since her quarter-final victory over China's Li Na.

"It was a little difficult moving to the left, and a little bit to the right. A little forward was also difficult," she said.

The American said she almost would have preferred to lose to her sister Venus in the semi-finals, except that then she would not have kept her world number one ranking.

MIAMI, Sunday, AFP