US Open - Gallant Azarenka feels pain of defeat once more

"I'm not going to lie. It hurts bad," she conceded after a 7-5 6-7(6) 6-1 at Flushing Meadows. "It's okay. I did everything I could. I gave my heart. I fought as hard as I could.

"I lost to a great champion and I'm still going to have my head up."

After losing the first set, Azarenka produced a phenomenal second where she fought back from 1-4 and 3-5 down to force a decider at an electrified Arthur Ashe Stadium as Williams twice blew chances to earn a straight-sets victory.

But the 24-year-old Azarenka was unable to carry momentum into the deciding set as Williams, who had thrown her racquet into her chair at the changeover, took care of the third set to complete victory in two hours and 45 minutes.

"She really made it happen," Azarenka said.

"There was no letdown. It was a moment in the third set that the momentum changed a little bit, and I kind of felt like I lost that momentum. In that particular moment she was tougher today. She was more consistent and deserved to win."

The ball-striking was superb from the top two players in the world. Azarenka showed enormous determination to recover from two breaks down in the second set, but her fightback took its toll.

Come the third set, she was running on empty.

"It was raising from the first point, the tension, the battle, the determination," Azarenka said. "It felt from every point, it was rising, the level."

Azarenka paid tribute to Williams after the American won the 17th Major singles title of her career.

"Well, there's one word," Azarenka said of Williams.

"She's a champion, and she knows how to repeat that. She knows what it takes to get there. I know that feeling, too. And when two people meet who want that feeling so bad, it's a clash. That's what happens out there with those battles.

"And in the important moments, it is who is more brave. Who is more consistent. Who takes more risk. You can never play safe."

Williams was reaching the pinnacle of her career, said Azarenka.

"She's playing definitely her best tennis right now. It really shows how focused and how composed and how much she can raise the level," she added.

"That's just exciting for me, to be able to compete against that type of player who can be the greatest of all time. I'm playing against that person in the finals of Grand Slams."

The 24-year-old said she was determined to view her US Open as a positive when she visited her family in Belarus this week.

"You cannot sit and say, 'Oh my god, this is the worst thing that could have happened to me.' Because it's not. I just want to take the positive and see the light at the end of the tunnel."

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Alec Stewart attacks Surrey's critics after 146-run derby defeat by Middlesex

Alec Stewart, Surrey’s acting director of cricket, hit back at criticisms of the club’s selection policy after a derby defeat by Middlesex which plunged them deeper into relegation danger.

Surrey collapsed for a second day in a row, with Middlesex spinner Ollie Rayner taking 15 wickets in the match, putting Stewart’s team under more pressure ahead of their game at fellow relegation contenders Somerset next week.

Questions have been asked about the elderly nature of Surrey’s side and a perceived failure to nurture younger players.

“Do you just pick people because they are young?” Stewart asked. “If they are not playing well enough, do you pick them? You go in with a weaker side?

“It’s all opinions. But the opinions that count are in there [the dressing room].

"You’re entitled to write your thoughts on how you see things. And we’ll do what we believe is right. That’s how it’s always been.”

The former England wicketkeeper also took exception to the club being described as big-spending.

He said: “This club is a big club. Everyone works under the same salary cap.

"When it’s said ‘Surrey are big spenders’, we can’t spend any more money on players than the other 17 counties.

"It’s a very well-run club and they should be credited for that; the way we sell out the Twenty20s and everything else.”

Stewart also praised the groundsman for the pitch, even though Rayner took advantage after Surrey lost the toss.

Spin was again the major weapon on Thursday. First, Surrey’s Gareth Batty picked up three wickets before Middlesex declared with a lead of 384.

Surrey initially battled well in their second innings with Hashim Amla and Steven Davies compiling an 86-run stand that took the score to 188 for four.

Once that partnership was broken though, Surrey capitulated.

The match looked to be heading into a fourth day – with rain forecast – when Surrey were 207 for five, but they imploded to 212 for nine, ensuring Middlesex secured a convincing victory.

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