Australian Open 2012: Finals Loss for Maria Sharapova Would Doom Russian Star

Maria Sharapova has a chance to win another Grand Slam, which is something she hasn't done since 2008. However, should she fall to Victoria Azarenka in the 2012 Australian Open, it will haunt her for the rest of the season. 

The Russian tennis star has seen minimal success for several years now, but she continues to strive for greatness. She's a true competitor, and it's a definite plus for tennis now that she is back in the finals. 

However, failing to win the Australian Open will be a major setback for the remainder of this year. Since this is the first Grant Slam of the tennis season, the stars need a strong start to help give them confidence moving forward. 

While Sharapova has done well during this tournament, it will all be lost if she doesn't win in the finals. The mental aspect of her game will suffer greatly, and it will be very difficult for her to bounce back this season.

Sure, she'll do well in other tournaments, but when the pressure is on in Grand Slam events, she will crack because she's forgotten how to deliver in big moments. 

Of course, if she wins the 2012 Australian Open, her confidence will be sky high, which will do wonders for her in other events this year. 

Sharapova hasn't been able to thrive in the high-pressure situations, but a Grand Slam victory this weekend could change all of that. 

Azarenka and Sharapova have faced each other six times, with the series being tied 3-3. The finals should be a great matchup, but if Sharapova doesn't win it, people will continue to believe she's fallen off. 

The last Grand Slam she won in 2008 was oddly enough the Australian Open, and winning it all again this year will put her at the top of women's tennis. A loss, on the other hand, would drop her further in the public eye, as well as make it harder for her to believe she can win these big matches.