Saber defeating Azusa is a big surprise, but then, Fate/Zero is an
awesome and very popular anime show, and it's airing right now. And Saber is basically the main female protagonist in it. If that can't cause a strength shift in ISML, then I don't know what can.
Silly as it may seem, Fate/Zero probably has swayed my votes in a few Saber matches this year. I find myself voting for her easily in some matches where I'd once have to think twice about it, and she's also winning more close calls for me. Saber vs. Azusa itself is an example of that (I probably would have voted for Azusa a year ago, but now I voted Saber).