Azarenka vs. Li Na: Live Score, Highlights from 2013 Australian Open Final

2013 Australian Open Women's Final

Victoria Azarenka [1] beat Li Na [6]

Final score:

4-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Analysis:

Victoria Azarenka has defended her 2012 Australian Open title by clinching the final of the 2013 Australian Open in a three-set affair against Li Na.

The World No. 1 didn't have everything go her way in this one—dropping the opening set 6-4—but given all the controversy and media drama that has surrounded her in the last 48 hours, she was simply never going to give up without a fight.

After breaking Na in the opening game of the second set, Azarenka raced to a 3-0 lead before the Chinese star twisted her ankle in what would be the telling story of the night. She would play on, but clearly under duress, and would never move the same again in this one.

Azarenka's disciple and phenomenal return game made it simply impossible for Li Na to gain any momentum in the third set, and after a horrific looking fall midway through the set, appeared to be simply helpless in the match.

The number six seed of the tournament would fight on gallantly until the end, but ultimately, could not muster up enough physical strength to stay in the match.

Azarenka would break Li Na in the final game of the match to win the championship—bursting into tears immediately afterwards. Perhaps it was pure joy or the overflow of negative emotion that had been hurled her way over the past few days.

Either way, she is the 2013 Australian Open women's champion, and a thoroughly deserved one at that. In a match dominated by controversy and drama, she kept her head and delivered a truly stirring performance at Rod Laver Arena—one that proved her to be completely deserving of her number one ranking in women's tennis.