Azarenka prevails over Williams in Qatar

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DOHA, Qatar, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Outgoing world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka bested her successor, American star Serena Williams, in three sets Sunday to claim the title of Qatar Open.

Azarenka rebounded from a poor second set to record a hotly contested 7-6 (8-6), 2-6, 6-3 victory over Williams, who -- thanks to her victory in Friday's quarterfinal -- will replace the Belarusian as the world's top-ranked player in this week's rankings.

Azarenka, however, showed her mettle Sunday as she ran her season's record to 14-0 while breaking a nine-match losing streak to Williams.

She improved to 2-11 lifetime mark against the American, winning for the first time since the pair met in the final of the 2009 event in Miami.