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Azarenka survives injury scare

Victoria Azarenka will face Samantha Stosur in the final of the Qatar Open after overcoming Agnieszka Radwanska.

Azarenka, playing in her first tournament since seizing the world number one ranking with her victory in the Australian Open, claimed the first set with ease, breaking twice.

In the second, she went 1-0 up with a break of serve only to fall badly in the second game.

Injuring her right ankle, she underwent treatment out on court but it soon became apparent that the injury continued to bother her as she went 2-1 down.

However, the Belarusian fought back to win the match 6-2 6-4.

“I was so shocked when it happened. I don’t know how it happened,” she told the WTA website.

“But I just focused on each point until the painkillers kicked in and I’m happy to pull it out. If it went to a third set I don’t know what would have happened.

“Personally this win means a lot, because before I probably would have handled the situation differently. I’m proud I could adjust in a very, very difficult situation.”

She will face Stosur in Sunday’s final. The Aussie was 6-3 up in her match against Marion Bartoli when the Frenchwoman retired with a right calf injury.

“You always want to win a match playing the full match out and winning match point,” said Stosur.

“Having said that, I thought I played a really good first set - I thought both of us were playing really well, high quality. So I’m happy with the match we had tonight.”