Sharapova vs. Azarenka: Newfound Grit Will Propel Azarenka over Sharapova

They say the biggest hurdle in winning your first Grand Slam is actually believing you can do it.

After Victoria Azarenka gutted out a victory against crowd favorite Kim Clijsters on Thursday in Melbourne, you can bet she believes now.

Azarenka's weakness from the start has been her mental game. In some respects, you could call her the Andy Murray of women's tennis.

At just 22 years of age, she's been called too frail and fragile to win a Grand Slam, but she's had the skills to do so, with a blistering backhand and a consistent game that can break down her opponents.

Let's be honest, Clijsters didn't have her best game on Thursday—she had 44 missed shots. If Azarenka doesn't play better, she will lose to Maria Sharapova in the final on Saturday.

But I think Azarenka will rise to the occasion and surprise Sharapova, despite Sharapova's experience in Grand Slams (a three-time winner).

She has the confidence to make the most of her abilities now and I see her victory against Clijsters as a jumping-off point.

Azarenka is a rising player in women's tennis and she's rising at the perfect moment, with a shot to grab the world No. 1 ranking against Sharapova.

Let's also not forget that Azarenka can capitalize on Sharapova's serve. Sharapova has battled back from shoulder surgery, but she clearly doesn't have the same dominant serve as she once did. Not only is Azarenka's backhand a threat, her return game was impressive against Clijsters on Thursday and she moved very well.

The popular pick in the final is Sharapova given her experience (and let's be honest, she's a fighter, too). But Clijsters was my pick from the start to defend the title and Azarenka beat her in a way I never thought she would: with her composure.

There's something to be said about a young player finding herself mentally against a veteran competitor like Clijsters. It inspires a confidence that can be mighty powerful.