DOHA – Lucie Safarova continued her fine start to 2015 by claiming her first ever victory over Victoria Azarenka to win the Qatar Open title in Doha yesterday.
The Czech won 6-4 6-3 to boost her chances of realising her “dream” of getting into the world top 10.
She will now be placed at a career-best 11 — up four places — when the new rankings come out on Monday.
Despite coming under intense pressure from a revitalised Azarenka, Safarova held her nerve in a tight contest to claim the title in a match lasting a little under 90 minutes.
The victory in Qatar comes on top of her women’s doubles victory last month at the Australian Open.
It is the first time she has had back-to-back tournament wins.
The 28-year-old Czech described the victory as “amazing”.
