Azarenka Defends Title!

(Rank/Seed)

In a dramatic three set final, (1/1) Azarenka edged (6/6) Li 46 64 63 to defend her title and secure the number one ranking.

1st Set

Both players started nervously, breaking each others serves to begin. Li settled faster though, her greater power paying dividends as she gained a 3-1 lead. Though Azarenka staged a late comeback, from 2-5 to 4-5, she still was making too many unforced errors. She doubled faulted down set point to the roars of the partisan home crowd, all too eager to bait the Belorussian after her semi final antics.

2nd Set

Azarenka started fast and broke to begin before Li had a stumble and twisted her ankle; in keeping with the run of ankle injuries throughout the week. It didn't stop the Chinese 2011 finalist though, as she reduced a 2-4 deficit to 4-4. But from there, she made a glut of unforced errors to lose the last 2 games. For a third straight major, it would go to three sets.

3rd Set

After swapping breaks of serve again, both players left the court due to the Australia Day celebration fireworks. On resumption, Li did the unthinkable; fell on her already injured ankle and banged her head on the court. Though Li seemed unfazed initially, it was clear that afterwards her ankle was troubling her. Still, Li never gave in, endearing her further to the crowd and fought on, but Azarenka was now in the zone. She broke on a Li backhand error to win a second Grand Slam title and broke down in tears after a traumatic fortnight. Overall, Azarenka hit only 18 winners to 28 unforced errors, compared to Li's 36:57 ratio and there was an incredible 16 breaks of serve, 9 to Azarenka, 7 to Li.