World number one Serena Williams has dealt a pre-Australian Open psychological blow to defending champion Victoria Azarenka by claiming the Brisbane International women's crown on Saturday night.
The 17-time grand slam winner proved too good for world number two Azarenka, clinching a quality Brisbane decider 6-4, 7-5 in 98 minutes. It was the end to the first of two dream finals for the tournament, with Swiss great Roger Federer to play Australia's Lleyton Hewitt in Sunday's men's final.
Defending champion Williams collected a $221,000 winner's cheque and a 58th career title.
It is an ominous start to the year for Williams who is hoping to back up a remarkable 2013 in which she won 11 titles overall, two grand slams and more than $12 million in prizemoney. And it is a blow to the confidence of Azarenka, as she plotted a third straight Australian Open title. Few defeated Williams in 2013 - but Azarenka did it twice. However, Azarenka may have to go back to the drawing board to dethrone Williams after the American extended her record against the Belarusian to 14-3. Williams broke Azarenka in the seventh game and sealed the first set in 37 minutes with an ace. The pair exchanged breaks early in the second before Azarenka struck again to lead 4-2. However, Williams immediately broke back and Azarenka never recovered.
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