#1 Serena Williams vs. #2 Victoria Azarenka

Azarenka did win this encounter in 2013

Victoria Azarenka has a lot of credibility as compared to many others who have recently contended for the #1 ranking on the WTA Tour.  She holds 2 Grand Slam titles and was ever so close to winning the 2012 US Open.  Serena Williams is the undisputed #1 on the WTA tour.  Her 2013 results have been quite consistent everywhere except for the Grand Slams.  If Vika were to win Cincinnati and the US Open, she would be #2 in the computer but #1 in big events for 2013.

Serena is my pick to win in Cincinnati precisely because she has a better service game.  If Azarenka could develop a serve that no one could pick on (see Ferrer, David), she could be a legitimate threat to be a long lasting #1.  I think Serena wins in two sets with one of them being close.  My Prediction: Serena Williams d. Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 6-4.

Cincinnati and the WTA have to be pretty happy to have the number 1 and number 2 seeds in the final along with the Marion Bartoli and Maria Sharapova stories grabbing headlines.