Sharapova vs. Azarenka: Victoria Will Win More Grand Slam Titles in 2012

Victoria Azarenka finally got over the Grand Slam hump on Saturday in her victory over Maria Sharapova in the 2012 Australian Open Women’s Final. She has been on the fringe of success in her career, but now that she won we should expect more Grand Slam victories in the future.

There were hints of her greatness last season when she played well in a variety of tournaments. Now that she finally picked up her Grand Slam expect her confidence level to be through the roof, which will ultimately lead to loads of success.

Confidence in tennis is crucial for success. Victories come when your confidence level matches your skill level. Azarenka has struggled with her confidence level in her career, but expect a major change going forward in 2012 and beyond because of this tournament.

She made a statement by defeating Sharapova 6-3, 6-0 in a match that lasted all of one hour and 22 minutes. Sharapova is one of the best in the world and Azarenka made her look awful. Sharapova said it best. 

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"She did everything better than I did today. I had a good first couple of games, and that was about it," Sharapova said."Then she was the one that was taking the first ball and hitting it deep and aggressive. I was always the one running around like a rabbit, you know, trying to play catch-up all the time."

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Azarenka is just 22 years of age so her ceiling is high. We may be looking at a staple in Grand Slam Finals for several years to come.

To be the champion you have to beat the champion, and that’s what she did against 2011 champion Kim Clijsters in the semifinals. She battled through adversity against the defending champion to deliver a big-time victory.

Once she defeated the defending champion, her confidence in winning against the world’s best was at the highest in her career.

Azarenka proved her worth against Clijsters and she did it again on Saturday. The sky is the limit for this budding star.