Spiteful Victoria Azarenka crushes Maria Sharapova to win the Australian Open title - Tennis Special
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus slaughtered the former world number one, Maria Sharapova, to win her first Major title. She lifted the Australian Open trophy on Saturday eve in Rod Laver Arena, in Melbourne, Australia. She won the title with assertive scores of 6-3, 6-0. The scores itself tell the whole story; the level of domination from Azarenka on the court.
The Belarusian contestant pocketed 2.3 million Australian dollars with this triumph and broke the unbeaten run of Maria Sharapova, this season. She is still to be beaten this year, winning the season-opener, Apia Sydney International and doubling her titles tally with her maiden Grand Slam championship of her career.
It was all about the Russian at the start of the match. Sharapova broke serve and held her own to take 2-0 lead. Azarenka levelled the scores with a break point conversion in the fourth game and then sparing just one game in the set, she bagged the first set in grand fashion. The aggression at the court was blistering at both ends with Azarenka forcing her opponent to play from the baseline, making her run all across the sidelines.
Sharapova tried to advance towards the net but every time she failed in delivering the right shot. It was a thrilling turnaround by the Belarusian, as she cruised through the contest with a set lead. Sharapova was beaten for pace, couldn’t deliver her strokes the way she used to in the previous encounters and was completed dominated by the Belarusian.
The Russian was dismantled and broken by the onslaught from her opponent. The anguish on her face and the frustration was clearly visible, which led to her downfall. She was not finding the ground to make room for her shots. With limited shot making, Sharapova went into the second set, looking all down and low on confidence.
It was a bagel for Azarenka as she wasted no opportunity in carrying the momentum that was already running in her favour. She won nine games on the trot and bagged the second set with ease. She was absolutely devastating with her forceful backhands. The third seed was absolutely delighted at her triumph and couldn’t believe that she has won her maiden Grand Slam title in such quick succession.
Sharapova came off from the injury layoff and she was glad at making it so far in the first Grand Slam of the year. She had a breathtaking tour of Australia on her comeback, except a formidable final. She looks to improve her game and comeback as a much stronger contestant in the upcoming tournaments. Critics will say million things but Sharapova did a lot better than what was expected from her.
Azarenka achieved two milestones at once with this monumental performance. She is crowned the Australian Open champion and will climb to the top of the world rankings on Monday. All hails the Belarusian who is the deserving champion and the world number one. We still await the first player who will step up and beat the scream queen, Azarenka, this year.
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