Written by
The Sports Network
Melbourne, Australia (Sports Network) - Victoria Azarenka became a first-time
Grand Slam titlist Saturday with a convincing straight-set victory over Maria
Sharapova in the Australian Open women's final.
The third-seeded Azarenka downed Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 at Rod Laver Arena to run
her winning streak to a personal-best 12 matches after claiming the Sydney
championship before the year's first major. She will achieve another first in
her career, ascending to No. 1 in the world rankings on Monday -- dethroning
Caroline Wozniacki.
Azarenka improved to 3-0 in hardcourt finals against the 24-year-old
Sharapova, whose last major title came at the 2008 Aussie Open. The fourth-
seeded Russian was also the Aussie runner-up in 2007.
The 22-year-old Belarusian, who was making her debut in a Grand Slam final,
became the youngest champion at Melbourne Park since Sharapova. Azarenka
dropped only two sets throughout the entire fortnight en route to her 10th
career title.
The Sports Network