Victoria Azarenka beats Maria Sharapova to win Indian Wells title

Victoria Azarenka made easy work of Maria Sharapova as she won the Indian Wells title 6-2 6-3 in 85 minutes.
The world number one dropped only four points on her serve in the first set before breaking her Russian opponent four times in the second set.
The win was the 22-year-old's 23rd consecutive victory in 2012 and her second over Sharapova, following her Australian Open final success.
Top seed Azarenka dropped only one set throughout the tournament.

Azarenka in numbers

  • Height : 6' (1.83 m)
  • Date of Birth : 31 July 1989
  • Singles titles : 12
  • Doubles titles : Six
  • Matches unbeaten : 23
Azarenka, who won 6-3 6-0 in the Melbourne final in January, broke the world number two in the opening game before holding her own serve to take a 2-0 lead.
Sharapova won the third game but she struggled to make any headway on the Azarenka serve, earning just four points on it in the first set.
She offered more in the second set, in California but, when she broke for the first time, Azarenka already led 3-0.

The number one seed immediately broke back before Sharapova struck again in one of six breaks in the second set.
Serving to stay in the match Sharapova hit a double fault before a high lob finished long to hand her opponent a 12th career title.
"I was just trying to do my best because I know Maria is a fighter," said Azarenka.
"I always try to stay focused and apply as much pressure as I can.
"I'm just so glad that I have been able to be consistent and disciplined and professional every day."