Azarenka Is New Australian Open Womens Singles Champion

Australian Open women's singles No 3 seed Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) defeated No 4 seed Maria Sharapova (Russia) in straight sets, 6-3, 6-0, to win the women's singles title at the Australian Open tonight, January 28, Australian eastern daylight saving time.

Azarenka had played in six Australian Opens, reaching the quarterfinals in 2010. She also reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 2009.

Azarenka defeated No 11 seed Kim Clijsters (Belgium) in the semifinals. Clijsters had earlier toppled No 1 seed Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark) in the quarterfinals.

Sharapova won the Australian Open women's singles title in 2008 and the US Open title in 2006.

• Australian Open 2012
• Australian Open: The Final Rounds
• Australian Open Year by Year
• Melbourne Park: Home of the Australian Open

Photo: Women's singles champion Victoria Azarenka at the 2012 Australian Open (Quinn Rooney/Getty Images