Memory Lane May 4, 2020

Madrid Memories 2012: Serena's brilliance in blue

Relive the story of the 2012 Mutua Madrid Open, from blue clay and early exits for Simona Halep and champion Petra Kvitova, to another final run for Victoria Azarenka and a reminder of the brilliance of Serena Williams.

For one year only, the Mutua Madrid Open went into the blue in 2012, dyeing the clay in order to provide a better contrast to the color of the ball for TV viewers. — 01 /16

For one year only, the Mutua Madrid Open went into the blue in 2012, dyeing the clay in order to provide a better contrast to the color of the ball for TV viewers.

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No.7 seed Marion Bartoli, who did not get past the second round in any clay event in 2012, was the highest-ranked player to fall in the first round, losing 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3 to Romanian Sorana Cirstea. — 02 /16

No.7 seed Marion Bartoli, who did not get past the second round in any clay event in 2012, was the highest-ranked player to fall in the first round, losing 6-7(6), 6-4, 6-3 to Romanian Sorana Cirstea.

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Serena Williams, winner in Charleston the previous month, was seeded ninth in Spain and began with a comfortable win over Russian Elena Vesnina, 6-3, 6-1. — 03 /16

Serena Williams, winner in Charleston the previous month, was seeded ninth in Spain and began with a comfortable win over Russian Elena Vesnina, 6-3, 6-1.

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Future World No.1 Simona Halep lost to former World No.1 Venus Williams, competing via wildcard after an illness-struck 2011, in round one 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(6), but the Romanian would return to make four finals, winning in 2016 and 2017. — 04 /16

Future World No.1 Simona Halep lost to former World No.1 Venus Williams, competing via wildcard after an illness-struck 2011, in round one 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(6), but the Romanian would return to make four finals, winning in 2016 and 2017.

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Sara Errani was fresh off consecutive titles in Budapest and Barcelona, but went out 6-0, 6-1 to No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round - though the Italian would bounce back to reach the Roland Garros final a month later. — 05 /16

Sara Errani was fresh off consecutive titles in Budapest and Barcelona, but went out 6-0, 6-1 to No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round - though the Italian would bounce back to reach the Roland Garros final a month later.

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Defending champion Petra Kvitova's title defence came to an early end, the Czech going out in the second round, 6-4, 6-3 to compatriot Lucie Hradecka. — 06 /16

Defending champion Petra Kvitova's title defence came to an early end, the Czech going out in the second round, 6-4, 6-3 to compatriot Lucie Hradecka.

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Caroline Wozniacki let a first-set lead slip to lose to Serena Williams in the third round, the Danish sixth seed going out 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. — 07 /16

Caroline Wozniacki let a first-set lead slip to lose to Serena Williams in the third round, the Danish sixth seed going out 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

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World No.1 Victoria Azarenka had started 2012 with her first major title at the Australian Open and a 26-match winning streak, and dispatched Svetlana Kuznetsova, Andrea Hlavackova and No.13 seed Ana Ivanovic in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals. — 08 /16

World No.1 Victoria Azarenka had started 2012 with her first major title at the Australian Open and a 26-match winning streak, and dispatched Svetlana Kuznetsova, Andrea Hlavackova and No.13 seed Ana Ivanovic in straight sets to reach the quarterfinals.

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Varvara Lepchenko was one of two qualifiers to make the last eight in Madrid this year, coming through 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3 against Anabel Medina Garrigues to seal her first Premier Mandatory quarterfinal berth. — 09 /16

Varvara Lepchenko was one of two qualifiers to make the last eight in Madrid this year, coming through 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3 against Anabel Medina Garrigues to seal her first Premier Mandatory quarterfinal berth.

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Angelique Kerber became the latest victim of Li Na’s impressive tournament, the Chinese winning 7-5, 6-4 against the German 12th seed and still yet to drop a set. — 10 /16

Angelique Kerber became the latest victim of Li Na’s impressive tournament, the Chinese winning 7-5, 6-4 against the German 12th seed and still yet to drop a set.

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Serena Williams eased past second seed Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, but the Russian would recover from her seventh straight defeat to Williams to win both Rome and Roland Garros this year. — 11 /16

Serena Williams eased past second seed Maria Sharapova 6-1, 6-3 in the quarterfinals, but the Russian would recover from her seventh straight defeat to Williams to win both Rome and Roland Garros this year.

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Qualifier Lucie Hradecka's fairytale run to the biggest singles semifinal of her career continued with a serving masterclass against No.5 seed Samatha Stosur that the Czech took 7-6(8), 7-6(6). — 12 /16

Qualifier Lucie Hradecka's fairytale run to the biggest singles semifinal of her career continued with a serving masterclass against No.5 seed Samatha Stosur that the Czech took 7-6(8), 7-6(6).

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In the semifinals, Azarenka eased past fourth seed Radwanska 6-2, 6-4 to make her second Madrid final in succession. — 13 /16

In the semifinals, Azarenka eased past fourth seed Radwanska 6-2, 6-4 to make her second Madrid final in succession.

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Serena Williams finally brought Hradecka’s fairytale week to an end, progressing 7-6(5), 6-0 past the Czech to make her first final in Spain - though she had previously won the 2010 Madrid doubles title with sister Venus. — 14 /16

Serena Williams finally brought Hradecka’s fairytale week to an end, progressing 7-6(5), 6-0 past the Czech to make her first final in Spain - though she had previously won the 2010 Madrid doubles title with sister Venus.

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Serena Williams had won six out of seven previous matches against Victoria Azarenka and maintained her dominance to take the final 6-1, 6-3 for her 41st career title and fifth on clay. — 15 /16

Serena Williams had won six out of seven previous matches against Victoria Azarenka and maintained her dominance to take the final 6-1, 6-3 for her 41st career title and fifth on clay.

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Serena Williams's ranking rose to World No.6, its highest since January 2011, and the American would go on to win both Wimbledon and the US Open this summer - beating Azarenka again in the latter final - to finish 2012 as World No.3. — 16 /16

Serena Williams's ranking rose to World No.6, its highest since January 2011, and the American would go on to win both Wimbledon and the US Open this summer - beating Azarenka again in the latter final - to finish 2012 as World No.3.

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