Champ Azarenka clears the air

Victoria Azarenka had made her peace even before she stepped on to Rod Laver Arena to defend her Australian Open crown.

Azarenka contacted American teenager Sloane Stephens only hours before beating Li Na 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final for a frank discussion on the top seed’s controversial injury time-out in their semi-final.

“I actually talked to Sloane yesterday and for me it’s important that we have no problems with each other,” Azarenka said.