Azarenka wins third Miami Open

Victoria Azarenka secures her third Miami Open title with a straight-set win over Svetlana Kuznetsova in Saturday’s final. 

The Belarusian won 6-3 6-2 in 77 minutes to add a third Miami title to her victories in 2009 and 2011.  The 26-year-old, who won in Indian Wells two week ago, will return to the world’s top five next week.  Russian Kuznetsova, 30, was bidding for her second title of the year after her victory in Sydney in January.

Azarenka becomes just the third woman to achieve the Indian Wells-Miami double after Steffi Graf (1994, 1996) and Kim Clijsters (2005).

“I’ve been reminded of this since the quarter-finals on social media – ‘She’s going for the Sunshine Double,’” Azarenka said.

“I’ve done really well not to get distracted by the future and concentrate on the present.”

Form returns with fitness for Azarenka

Azarenka, a former world number one and twice winner of the Australian Open, has rediscovered her best form this season after failing to win a WTA title as injuries hampered her in 2014 and 2015.

She began the year with victory in Brisbane in January and last month overcame Serena Williams to win at Indian Wells.

“Being fit and being prepared helps a lot,” she said. “I definitely have a different approach and perspective from a couple of years ago.