Intro:

Lucie Safarova claimed her first WTA Premier Series title on Saturday (28 February) with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Qatar Open.

Script:

Lucie Safarova earned her first ever WTA Premier Series title, after she beat Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-3 in the final of the Qatar Open on Saturday.

Despite having lost all 6 previous encounters to the Belarussian, Safarova gradually asserted her dominance, with a close-knit battle in the first set.

Playing on the advantage, the Czech took the first set 6-4 after Azarenka stumbled and failed to return her serve.

The 28 year old reasserted her lead in the first game of the second set as well after Azarenka hit her drive volley into the net.

Keeping up the fight, Safarova displayed impressive returns after impressive returns, challenging Azarenka's serves with her fierce forehand.

Victory did not come easily for the Czech. In her final match point, Azarenka's shot was called wide, a decision that was challenged by the Belarussian. But the call stood in the end, and Safarova was declared the worthy winner after managing to achieve three aces in a row in the last set.

This ended the Belarussian's impressive 14 match winning streak, and Safarova climbs up to 11th in the world rankings.