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.