US Open: 'Pinish' is Victoria Azarenka's new success mantra

Victoria Azarenka

New York: Victoria Azarenka added a new word to the tennis lexicon on Saturday after her US Open win against Angelique Kerber - ‘pinish'.

Victoria Azarenka celebrates a point against Angelique Kerber on Saturday. Pic:AP/PTI

The two-time runner-up won a third-round thriller 7-5, 2-6, 6-4 on a sixth match point, having trailed 2-5 in the first set.

During changeovers in the Arthur Ashe Stadium contest, the 20th-seeded Belarusian was spotted consulting a series of motivational, self-help tips.

When asked to reveal one, she said, ‘pinish.' "It was my coach's idea - it's a combination of ‘punish' and ‘finish,'" said Azarenka, who is coached by Sascha Bajin, the former longtime hitting partner of Serena Williams.