• BNP Paribas Open

Awesome Azarenka denies Sharapova another title

ESPN staff
March 18, 2012
Victoria Azarenka broke Maria Sharapova six times © PA Photos
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Victoria Azarenka produced a repeat of the Australian Open final to beat Maria Sharapova and become the ninth different winner of the BNP Paribas Open in as many years on Sunday.

The world's top two players resumed battle just six weeks after Azarenka denied Sharapova in the first grand slam final of the year. And it proved to be another painful afternoon for Sharapova who was defeated 6-2 6-3.

Azarenka's stunning start to the year continued as she upped her unbeaten record to 23 matches, improving her head-to-head record against Sharapova to 5-3. The Belarusian was in control from the very first game at Indian Wells, barely allowing the 2006 champion a look-in in a fantastic display.

Sharapova came into the match as the more rested player after Ana Ivanovic retired halfway through their semi-final battle. However, she dropped her opening service game and never recovered.

Azarenka created six break chances in her opponent's first three service games alone, but she had to wait for her seventh to claim a second break en route to closing out the set 6-2.

The pattern was repeated in the second as Azarenka once again broke in the first game, before penetrating the Sharapova serve again. The beleaguered Russian did find two breaks herself, but they only acted as a nuisance to the otherwise serene Azarenka.

When final statistics were rendered Sharapova won just 27 of 64 points on her own serve, as Azarenka stormed to her 12th WTA singles title.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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