• Australian Open, Day 13

Azarenka blazes past Sharapova to win maiden major

Victoria Azarenka won her first grand slam title in Melbourne © PA Photos

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Victoria Azarenka will be crowned the new world No. 1 after winning the Australian Open with a dominant victory over Maria Sharapova.

The third seed recovered from a nervous start to claim a 6-3 6-0 victory on Rod Laver Arena, and in so doing vaulted over Caroline Wozniacki to top the women's rankings. Sharapova was left to rue 30 unforced errors as Azarenka won 12 of the last 13 games to power past the 2008 champion.

Playing in her first major final, Azarenka showed signs of nerves as Sharapova grabbed an early break and raced to a 2-0 lead after a comfortable service hold.

Sharapova threatened to run away with the match when she went 30-0 up on her opponent's second service game, but Azarenka dug deep for a confidence-boosting hold.

Any signs of nerves swiftly disappeared, the Belarusian began to find her range, and was rewarded for her crisp hitting and clean winners with three break-back points. Forced behind the baseline by the increasingly confident Azarenka, Sharapova hit a wayward backhand which edged long, and Azarenka was back on level terms.

Sharapova staved off the Azarenka charge to keep herself in the set, sealing the game with her first ace of the match, but the Belarusian was firmly in the ascendency, and a delightful array of shot selection clinched the break, and with it the chance to serve for the opening set.

With a first major and the No. 1 ranking on the line, Azarenka could be forgiven for showing signs of nerves, but the pressure was relentless and the third seed coolly served out the opening set, having won six of the last seven games.

Azarenka, carried the momentum into the second set, and a wayward forehand from Sharapova handed her opponent two break points. She needed no second invitation, clinching an early break with a stunning passing shot beyond the lunging Sharapova.

The Russian had the chance to break back after a superb cross-court backhand winner, but another unforced error gifted Azarenka the advantage, and the third seed held on to take a 2-0 lead.

Realising she was unable to compete with the power and range of Azarenka, Sharapova began to take risks in search of winners, and her unforced error count began to creep up as Azarenka blazed through the second set, as the match slipped from Sharapova's grasp.

With Azarenka serving for the championship, Sharapova grabbed a break point courtesy of a fortuitous net cord, but the Russian crumbled as Azarenka roared back, sinking to her knees when her opponent found the net.

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