|
 World number two behind the 17-times major champion, Azarenka will
only meet Williams if both players make the final at the Pat Rafter
arena next weekend and Melbourne Park on Jan 25.
The Belarussian, who has won the Australian Open for the last two
years, has a 3-13 record against Williams but split last year's four
matches and beat the American 7-5 6-3 in an exhibition match in
Thailand at the weekend.
"I think it's great, first of all, to be a part of that rivalry
because it really helps you to grow as a player, as a person," the
24-year-old told reporters in Brisbane on Monday.
"You learn things about yourself and what you need to improve,
because when somebody is taking you to the limit you really have a
good look at what you have to do better to rise up.
"I definitely enjoy that and love tough competition. To take that
challenge for me every time is very exciting. That's what I wake up
for and train hard for."
[to top of second column] |
Azarenka avoided Williams altogether in Australia last year,
firstly in bizarre circumstances in Brisbane when she was forced
to withdraw from their semi-final meeting after a pedicure went
wrong.
They were again scheduled to meet in the last four in Melbourne
before an injury-hampered Williams lost her quarter-final to
compatriot Sloane Stephens.
Azarenka's subsequent victory over Stephens in the semi-finals,
when she took a controversial 10-minute medical time out, means
she has of lot of goodwill to win back in Australia over the
next month.
"Every year I look so much forward to coming here," she said,
apparently unperturbed. "It's one of my favorite places to play.
I've loved it since I was a junior."
Second seed Azarenka will open her new season in the second
round of the Brisbane International against local wild card
Casey Dellacqua, who beat Kazakh Galina Voskoboeva 3-6 6-2 6-3
in the first round on Monday.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Amlan Chakraborty)
[© 2013 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2013 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
