World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka lifted the Australian Open Women's Singles Final on January 28. The 22-year-old Belurusian defeated Russian Maria Sharapova 6-3, 6-0.

The Australian Open 2012 Women's singles final was termed a "battle of screams"- as both the finalists, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, are known to make loud noises while playing.

Australian Prime MInister Julia Julia Gillard and New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key were among the guests to watch the final.

For Azarenka it was one of the biggest moments of her career as she won her first Grand Slam final. This was her 12th straight win in as many matches.

The former No.1 Sharapova tried unsuccessfully to repeat her 2008 performance when the 24-year-old Russian won the singles title here.

Sharapova, who beat No. 2 seed Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic in the semi-finals 6-2, 3-6, 6-4, has been out of action for almost ten months after a shoulder surgery in mid-2008.

Azarenka beat No.11 seed Kim Clijsters 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 in the semi-finals to reach her first career Grand Slam final.

Sharapova and Azarenka have met six times before and each one of them has won thrice.

Australian Open Women039s Singles Final
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates with her trophy after defeating Maria Sharapova of Russia in their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28, 2012. Reuters
Australian Open Women039s Singles Final
Maria Sharapova of Russia receives flowers before the start of her women's singles final match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 28. Reuters
Australian Open Women039s Singles Final
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus serves to Maria Sharapova of Russia during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Reuters
Australian Open Women039s Singles Final
Sharapova hits a return to Victoria Azarenka during their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament. Reuters
Australian Open Women039s Singles Final
Azarenka celebrates breaking serve against Sharapova in the first game of the second set of their women's singles final match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne. Reuters
Australian Open Women039s Singles Final
Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard and New Zealand's Prime Minister John Key attend the women's singles final match between Victoria Azarenka of Belarus and Maria Sharapova of Russia at the Australian Open tennis tournament. Reuters