Samantha Stosur has become the first Australian woman to earn $US10 million ($A9.33 million) in tennis career prizemoney en route to a daunting WTA Qatar Open final clash with world No.1 Victoria Azarenka.
Relishing the greater freedom she feels away from home-crowd scrutiny, Stosur reached her first title decider since winning last year's US Open when semi-final opponent Marion Bartoli quit with leg cramps shortly after losing the first set 6-3 yesterday.
But Stosur had her work cut out if she was to win a fourth career singles title, with Australian Open champion Azarenka on a 16-game winning streak after thrashing Agnieszka Radwanska 6-2 6-4. In five previous meetings with Azarenka, Stosur had not won a single set.
A foot injury Azarenka incurred against Radwanska offered added hope, but not too much considering the Belarussian returned from an eight-minute break to have her foot strapped early in the second set to finish off her semi in style.
Stosur's win over Bartoli was her fourth in a row since her dismal run at home when knocked her out early in Brisbane, Sydney and the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Her previous win ensured she would move past the $A9.33 million prizemoney mark.
''This week, I've tried to stay relaxed, be a lot more loose,'' Stosur said.
''When I'm able to be like that, my tennis just flows.
''And then I want to hit a forehand - I can get out there and whack it.
''My feet move better, and everything about my tennis is just better. So no doubt the way you're feeling about your game can play a huge part in the results that you get.''
Azarenka was in pain after injuring her foot and, for a few minutes, it looked like she too would call it quits like Bartoli did an hour earlier. But she said adrenaline kept her going.
''Honestly, I don't know how I managed to pull it off,'' she said.
''I had to concentrate very hard on every point, but I am happy that I made it,'' she said.
''When you are in the match, the adrenaline is going and you try not to think about it and just try to give your best, whatever it is. Sometimes the pain eases out, especially when you're winning.'' AAP-AFP
.gif)
