Azarenka books Australia final spot

Victoria Azarenka advanced to her first Grand Slam final after outlasting defending champion Kim Clijsters in a remarkable encounter at the Australian Open.

Clijsters, on what could have been her last appearance down under as she is due to retire at the end of the season, fought hard but Azarenka's bludgeoning ground strokes proved too much as the Belarusian won 6-4 1-6 6-3 in two hours and 12 minutes of absorbing tennis.