Victoria Azarenka beats Maria Sharapova in Australian Open final

Victoria Azarenka has claimed the Australian Open title after beating Maria Sharapova in straight sets 6-3 6-0.

Sharapova started the better of the two in the first set, breaking serve to race into a 0-2 lead. However, Azarenka soon settled and fought back to break the Russian's serve.

The Belarusian, competing in her first Grand Slam final, took control of the first set, with it finally ending at 6-3.

Azarenka came out for the second set looking totally dominant and immediately broke serve. The 22-year-old showed real class to outplay the former world number one. Sharapova had no answer for Azarenka's game, losing ten straight games at the end of the contest.

Azarenka claimed the second set 6-0 to win her first Grand Slam title and move up to number one in the world rankings.