Azarenka sinks Sharapova
The Melbourne victory, which gave Azarenka her first grand slam title had been one-sided, as the Belarusian lost only three games but this was a titanic struggle between two of women’s tennis’ biggest fighters.
Azarenka finally came out on top 3-6 6-2 6-4 after two hours and 42 minutes and will meet either Serena Williams or French Open finalist Sara Errani tonight.
The 23-year-old said: “I was just trying to grab the first opportunity I had. Maria is such a great player. I knew she would come out firing and she did. I tried to find my rhythm and just fight. I gave it my all. I guess it worked. It’s my first final and I’m so excited.”
The Russian was the more solid in the early stages and turned a 3-0 lead into 5-1 and the opportunity to serve for the set.
Sharapova wobbled and looked like she would lose her advantage completely when Azarenka had two chances to reduce the deficit to 5-4, her opponent throwing in two double faults in the windy conditions.
But the world number one, who hit only one winner in the opening set, could not take her opportunity and Sharapova clinched it with her first ace of the match.
The match did not look like it would be close when the Belarusian hooked a forehand well wide to be broken again at the start of the second set but from there things turned around.
Sharapova dropped serve twice in succession and the top seed was clearly extremely pumped up as she powered away a forehand to level things up.
The third seed was certainly under the most pressure but she continued to cling on and the deciding set had been going for more than an hour when she served to stay in the match at 4-5.
It was a game too far. Azarenka missed with a forehand down the line on her first match point but a second one followed and this time Sharapova drilled a forehand long.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
