Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of the WTA Championships final from Istanbul with the two in-form women of the week meeting. Victoria Azarenka against Petra Kvitova should be quite a final for you.

GAME, SET AND MATCH KVITOVA! Two more championship points for Kvitova. She only needs the first one as she thumps a forehand across court that Azarenka can only knock into the net on the volley. A fine match, but Kvitova is a deserving champion. She is a figure of emotion, and cements her place as the best player in Istanbul this week.

The crowd in Istanbul go wild as Kvitova brings up match point on the Azarenka serve, but the Belarusian does not surrender as she follows in the backhand down the line to convert a volley at the net. Kvitova knocks the ball long seconds later as Azarenka reaches game point to close to 5-3. She smacks away a delightful forehand winner to claim the game. Kvitova must serve it out now.

Kvitova really coming up with the goods when it matters. She is pumped up after storming away from Azarenka at 30-30 with a couple of heavy winners. Azarenka had her chances in that game, but can't take the chances. Neither women hitting top form, but Kvitova doing enough to stay on top.

Azarenka with a third double fault but a big first serve seconds later carries the Belarusian 40-15 clear only to make another error in knocking the ball long seconds later as the score reaches 40-30. Azarenka composes herself to sink a volley at the net from a short ball. 4-2 now in favour of Kvitova.

Kvitova again answers the questions asked of her from 15-15 with a couple of searching points that Arazenka can't deal with. The ball landing right on the line, and it has to be that good to repel the attacking instincts of her opponent. Kvitova now two games from the title.

Vital hold for Azarenka. Misfired a couple of times in the past two game and mistimed a couple of strokes, but keeps her composure well to stay within one break of the Belarusian. Does not want to be falling any further behind at this stage. Pressure right back on Kvitova in her service game.

Kvitova produces a game of some class to hold serve to love. Threw in a couple of magnificent winners in that game before Azarenka bundles a ball into the net as the Czech player moves 3-0 ahead in this final set. Has Azarenka got a response? She needs one.

BREAK TO KVITOVA! A fair bit of gamesmanship here. Kvitoa screams when she wins a point while Azarenka screams during the points. Kvitova brings up break point with a stunning return of serve that Azarenka can only knock out of play. Azarenka fires in a fine first serve, but mistimes a forehand badly to drop serve.

Kvitova staves off four break points aided by a third ace before a booming forehand slides away from Azarenka as the Czech player holds serve in the opening game of the third set. This final is wide open. Neither woman giving an inch.

SET TO AZARENKA! A spectacular return from Kvitova helps her level at 30-30, but Kvitova misses the forehand to bring up a break point as Azarenka grabs set point at 40-30. Hits the net with her first serve and continues to scream before thumping a winning forehand down the line. 1-1 in this final.

Azarenka suddenly dominating the rallies, and is hitting the ball harder than the Wimbledon champion at this stage of the match. A great first serve from Kvitova at 30-30 gives the Czech player game point. Another fine serve is enough for Kvitova to snag the game, but Azarenka will serve for the second set to level at 1-1.

Azarenka continues to look composed in this set. Moving well and smacking anything short away with some relish. Pressure really on Kvitova now as she holds to stay alive in this second set.

Kvitova misses a forehand at the net to secure the game, but keeps her composure at deuce to clamber over the winning line and close to within one game of Azarenka, who will serve for a 5-3 lead. Some fine points in that game, including a quite magnificent winning lob by Kvitova.

Azarenka drills a massive forehand beyond Kvitova for a 30-0 lead. Kvitova returns the favour to close to 30-15 with one of her own howitzers. Azarenka sees the net crumple with the ball seconds later as the score reaches 30-30. A magnificent forehand from Kvitova gives her the break point after a quite stunning rally. Azarenka fends off the break with a strong forehand that sets up the winning overhead smash. A fine first serve from Azarenka gives her the game.

BREAK TO AZARENKA! Serve not really holding sway. Pace, power and movement is the key to where this set and where this final is going to end up. Azarenka races to the net to thump away a winner for a 3-2 lead with the break. Kvitova with 24 unforced errors to 17 by Azarenka.

BREAK TO KVITOVA! No sooner is she broken than she breaks back. Kvitova rips through the defence of Azarenka in levelling at 2-2 in this set by dropping only one point. This is sensational stuff in this final. Very unpredictable, but we are back on serve.

BREAK TO AZARENKA! It is suddenly Kvitova's turn to feel the heat in this match as she slams the racket to the deck in frustration after missing a shot at the net. Kvitova has lost seven of the past 10 games as a ball flies long and Azarenka is ahead for the first time in the match.

Good hold by Azarenka in that second game. Really had to cement the hold to keep Kvitova in check. The Belarusian finding some fine angles on both forehand and backhand wings. Better moments for Azarenka. We remain on serve.

Kvitova letting out some huge screams in this match. Kvitova with 16 winners compared to nine by Azarenka. The Czech player trying to regain dominance in this match. Azarenka happy to trade blows with Kvitova, who remains the more powerful player in the rallies.

SET TO KVITOVA! Azarenka saves two more set points, but she begins to falter in the key moments and that proves crucial as Kvitova takes advantage to move ahead in the match. Azarenka long with a forehand from deep in the court as the Czech player draws first blood. Kvitova to serve at the outset of the second set. Difficult to see where we go from here in this match.