Friday, January 3, 2014

Vika vs. Serena, Poland vs. France

Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka will face off one more time today in the Brisbane final. Williams defeated Maria Sharapova 6-2, 7-6 in the semifinals, giving her a 15-2 record against the Russian. Jelena Jankovic easily took the first set off of Azarenka, but then lost in three sets.

In Shenzhen, top seed Li Na will face countrywoman Peng Shaui in the final, and in Auckland, it will be Venus Williams against Ana Ivanovic.

The Hopman Cup title will be contested between Poland and France. France defeated Spain 3-0 in the last day of play before the final, and the Czech Republic defeated the USA 3-0. That was an easy one because the USA team gave the Czechs two walkovers and a retirement.

Sloane Stephens retired with a left wrist problem after she played her first set against Petra Kvitova. Venus Williams was given a walkover by Jamie Hampton in the Auckland semifinals because of a hip injury.

Vania King, whose Shenzhen run included upsetting Sara Errani in the second round, gave Peng a walkover in Shenzhen. Also--and probably to no one's great surprise--Ayumi Morita retired during Sydney qualifying.

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