Azarenka wins Australian Open women's title

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Azarenka wins Australian Open women's title

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Victoria Azarenka routed Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 to win the Australian Open singles title.

29 January,2012 02:57 am

Victoria Azarenka had produced one of the most lopsided Australian Open final victories to capture a Grand Slam title and the No. 1 ranking for the first time. She started celebrating on Rod Laver Arena, then suddenly did a double-take to ask her coach, What happened?The answer: She routed three-time Grand Slam winner Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in 1 hour, 22 minutes on Saturday night, winning 12 of the last 13 games after dropping her first service game and falling behind 2-0.Its a dream come true, she said. I have been dreaming and working so hard to win the Grand Slam, and being No. 1 is pretty good bonus. Just the perfect ending and the perfect position to be in.Azarenka won 11 straight matches, including a run to the Sydney International title, to reach her first Grand Slam final. Her previous best performance at a major was a semifinal loss to Petra Kvitova at Wimbledon last year. Sharapova had all the experience, being in her sixth major final and having won three dating back to her 2004 Wimbledon title.But it didnt unnerve the 22-year-old Azarenka, who is the first woman from Belarus to win a singles major. Shes also the seventh different woman to win a Grand Slam title since Francesca Schiavone won the 2010 French Open, and the fifth different winner in as many majors.Azarenka became only the third woman to earn the No. 1 spot after winning her first Grand Slam title. She moved from No. 3 to No. 1 in the rankings, helped by Caroline Wozniackis loss in the quarterfinals.The third-seeded Azarenka set up championship point with a stunning forehand, her 14th clean winner, and sealed it when Sharapova netted a backhand.She dropped on to her knees at the baseline with her hands over her face. She got up, held up her hands up and jogged up to her coach, Sam Sumyk, in the stands to celebrate.The best feeling, for sure, Azarenka said. I dont know about the game. I dont know what I was doing out there. Its just pure joy what happened. I cant believe its over.And she paid special credit to her grandmother, the person who inspires me the most in my life.Azarenka has been a distinctive presence at Melbourne Park as much as for her shrieks and hoots with each shot and seemingly boundless energy as for her white shorts, blue singlet and lime green head and wrist bands.Against Sharapova, she maintained the frenetic movement that has been the hallmark of her campaign in Australia, her 25th consecutive major. She won the Sydney International title the weekend before the years first major and is now on a 12-match winning streak the first player since 2004 to win a WTA tour event the week before winning a major.