WTA Istanbul

It was Samantha Stosur's second match at Istanbul,Turkey when she faced World #4 Victoria Azarenka. Stosur beat Maria Sharapova 6-1 7-5 in her first match in the Red Pool and was thought to be entering this particular match with a great deal of confidence and momentum on her side. Azarenka who won the toss and elected to receive serve was soon rewarded for her decision to do so perhaps when she saw an early break to lead 2-1, regardless of Stosur's good shot-making and aggressive kick first serve. Stosur's first serve was proving not to be as consistent as was on the night of her match against Sharapova. Azarenka took full advantage of Stosur's frustration over losing rhythm on serve. The serve, a big part of Stosur's game,could not expose Azarenka's weaknesses in the opening set,as Azarenka rushed to serve the set out at 5-2. The first point of the eighth game produced a rally where all sixteen shots were accurately placed and well-timed. Azarenka stretched Stosur at the baseline from side to sideand ultimately had the open court for the forehand winner. Azarenka clinched the opening set 6-2. Stosur looked determined at the beginning of the second set when she raced through points and moved forward to create quick winners at the net. This was quickly overturned by Azarenka's momentum and speed on court. She broke the Australian nearly as early as she had in the first set. Stosur hung on in the rallies as she did in the match,although arguably struggled to calm her nerves. She held the seventh game of the second set and. It was at this stage in the match where the board read 5-2,seeing Azarenka with the opportunity to serve out the match. Stosur endeavoured to put up a decent fight but Azarenka would land her first matchpoint at 40-30. Minutes after, she struggled with the ball toss and subsequently squandered her first matchpoint. After two matchpoints came and left,it was Stosur who would greet her first break point in the set. It quickly disappeared as did the second one that followed moments after due to a couple of forehand errors. Azarenka eventually prevailed and won the match in straight sets 6-2 6-2