Australian Open 2012: Maria Sharapova Will Dominate Victoria Azarenka in Final

Russian star Maria Sharapova will dominate Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the final of the 2012 Australian Open to win her fourth Grand Slam singles title.

Sharapova beat second seed Petra Kvitova in the semifinal in three sets to reach the final and has played spectacularly through the month in Melbourne.

Four of her six wins in the tournament have come in straight sets, and her overall game looks impressive. Her service has been excellent, her quickness is good, her decision-making is sharp and she looks determined to get back on top of the tennis world.

Sharapova has won one Grand Slam single event since 2006—the 2008 Australian Open—and despite having struggles in Grand Slam events since her breakthrough triumph at the 2004 Wimbledon, she hasn't let the inconsistency in major events bother her.

One area in which Sharapova has a massive edge over Azarenka is experience. The Russian star has made the final of a Grand Slam six times, while this is Azarenka's first final appearance.

Azarenka never even made a semifinal of a Grand Slam tournament until last year's Wimbledon, so the bright lights of a Grand Slam final may be something she has to overcome against Sharapova.

Experience is something too many players and sports analysts take for granted. You cannot underestimate someone who's been to the summit of the mountain before, because they won't be rattled by what's at stake.

Sharapova's combination of incredible talent and big-match experience will be a tremendous help to her against Azarenka in the final, and it will be a factor in why she wins.

The Russian has done a great job of capitalizing on her opponents' mistakes this tournament, and she hasn't beaten herself, either.

With a chance to capture her first Grand Slam title in four years, Sharapova will dominate Azarenka and win the 2012 Australian Open in an inspiring performance that will pave the way for a very successful 2012 for her.