Australian Open: Azarenka demolishes Sharapova for title

Belarusian wins final 6-3, 6-0; becomes new top-ranked player.

MELBOURNE:

Victoria Azarenka was crowned the new world number one after her crushing win over a disappointing Maria Sharapova in the Australian Open final as the Belarusian claimed her first grand slam title.

The third-seed overpowered the 2008 champion to win 6-3, 6-0 in 82 minutes to lift the trophy and become the fourth women’s first-time grand slam winner in a row.

Sharapova disintegrates

Azarenka came from 0-2 down in the first set to win 12 of the next 13 games for a comprehensive victory as Sharapova’s game disintegrated — the Russian making 30 unforced errors. Azarenka, on the other hand, played almost flawlessly at times, with only 12 errors across the two sets.

Sharapova, who has now been runner-up at two of the last three grand slams, was left ruing her highly disappointing show.

“As in any sport, you have days where things don’t work out,” she said. “Today, Victoria was just too good. I’ve had great wins here and I’ve had tough losses but I’ll be back.”

Azarenka takes a major step

Azarenka will be confirmed as world number one in the new women’s rankings releasing next week, ending Caroline Wozniacki’s stay at the top.

The Belarussian, who was once notorious for her on-court meltdowns, showed new-found resilience in the final.

Her most infamous incident came at the 2010 Australian Open when she had eventual champion Serena Williams on the ropes, leading by a set and 4-0 before imploding and losing to the American.

But it was a different story against Sharapova, with the Belarusian relaxed enough to joke about her past problems.

“I had, how do you call it, meltdowns,” she said. “You can see some on YouTube. But I’ve grown as a player and as a person, and I try to learn from my mistakes and become better. So I’m proud of what I’m doing. I just want to keep going and keep raising that level.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 29^th, 2012.