Stosur upsets Azarenka in Carlsbad final
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Samantha Stosur finally got her first win against Victoria Azarenka, downing her in straight sets Sunday in the finale of the $795,000 Southern California Open.
The fifth-seeded Stosur, who lost all eight of her previous meetings against Azarenka, took down the tournament's top seed, 6-2, 6-3 on the hardcourts at La Costa Resort and Spa.
It marked Stosur's fourth career title and first since capturing the 2011 U.S. Open, which starts up in three weeks.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Azarenka's serve failed her in the opening set. She was broken three times, committed five double faults and lost the first five points on her second serve. The 24-year-old Belarusian also lost six of her seven break-point chances and squandered five more in the opening game of the second set.
Stosur earned the first break of the second to go in front, 4-2, and the Australian came away with the win when Azarenka went wide with a backhand on match point.
Azarenka is still expected to overtake Maria Sharapova for the No. 2 ranking in the world but was denied her 17th title.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Stosur, who improved to 4-12 in career finals, claimed $125,000 with the victory.