Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova are known for being two of the noisiest players on the WTA Tour. Both women shriek, sigh and squeal with every shot they hit. When the two faced off in the women’s singles final at the Australian Open Saturday night, it was an all-out scream-fest.
(Even though I only watched the match on TV, I still strongly considered grabbing some earplugs!).
Ultimately it was Azarenka’s play that spoke loudest, as she dismantled the three-time Grand Slam champion Sharapova, 6-3, 6-0 in 1 hour, 22 minutes.
Not only was it the 22-year-old Azarenka’s first Grand Slam title, but the win also gave her the world
No. 1 ranking. “It sounds pretty good, doesn’t it,” a smiling Azarenka said on ESPN2 after the match.
Azarenka, who became the first female from Belarus to win a singles major, is just the third woman to take over the No. 1 spot after winning her first Grand Slam title.
The way the match started, it was a surprise to see such a lopsided outcome.
The third-seeded Azarenka fell behind 2-0 in the first set and said nerves, adrenaline and the big stage flustered her. “I was looking for my game. I tried to find that moment and try to change the momentum and I’m really glad I could do that.”
She stormed back to win 12 of the next 13 games and hit 14 winners in the match.
The second set was short and sweet (for Azarenka) and lasted just 36 minutes.
Azarenka continued to gain confidence and dictate points as the match continued. She forced Sharapova to chase down shot after shot and ultimately wore down the 24-year-old Russian, who had 30 unforced errors.
“As in any sport, you have good days, you have your tough days and you have days where things just don’t work out,” the fourth-seeded Sharapova said on ESPN2. “You’ve earned this title. You’ve worked so hard. Cherish this for as long as you can.”
“Tennis fans saw the new, mature Victoria against Sharapova,” said 18-time Grand Slam champion Chris Evert, who provided analysis of the match on ESPN2.
The new, mature Victoria is a sharp contrast to the old Victoria who used to have frequent temper tantrums on the court. She even considered quitting tennis last year after an especially frustrating loss. Thanks to a pep talk from her grandmother (who reportedly worked three jobs until she was 71 years old), Azarenka changed her attitude and her perspective on life.
When she accepted the winner’s trophy Saturday night, she thanked her grandmother for being “the person who inspires me the most.”
When Sharapova sent a backhand into the net on match point, Azarenka fell to her knees then held her hands up, looked at her coach and mouthed “What happened?”
You won the Australian Open in most impressive fashion, Victoria.
If Azarenka continues to play like she did in Melbourne, the titles will continue and she won’t have to ask what happened anymore.