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Doha: Defending champion Victoria Azarenka stunned Serena Williams 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-3 to win the Qatar Open on Sunday, earning her 16th title and ending a 10-match losing str-eak against the American.
Azarenka will give up the No. 1 ranking to the second-ranked Serena on Monday but extended her current winning streak to 14 matches.
More importantly, she may have turned around what has been a one-sided rivalry against Serena. Azarenka had not beaten Serena since 2009 in Miami, and had a 1-11 record against the American.
Azarenka broke to go up 2-1 when Serena hit one of her four double-faults, but she ensured it was back on serve after eight games. Serena won four straight points in the tie-breaker to lead 6-5, but the Belarusian saved the set point and then won it herself with a great return.
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