Participating in Miami for the first time since 2007, Sharapova cruised to the quarterfinals. However, the Russian fought off Alexandra Dulgheru and Andrea Petkovic to reach her third final in Miami.

After difficult three setters to advance to the quarterfinals, Azarenka dominated defending champion and world number two Kim Clijsters and coasted to victory in the semifinals versus world number three Vera Zvonareva.

Azarenka was in the zone early on. In the initial game, after Sharapova had double game point, Azarenka connected on a forehand up the winner for break point. Despite Sharapova surviving that one, on her third break point chance, Azarenka converted.

With a few miscues by Azarenka, Sharapova broke back quickly to level the set at 1 all. Still, as a result of two consecutive double faults, Sharapova went down 0-30. Later, when Sharapova sent a forehand wide, Azarenka had the break for 2-0.

With Sharapova spraying forehands and backhands all over the place and ineffective on the return of serve, Azarenka rolled five consecutive games which included two additional breaks to take the first set.

In the second set, with a double fault on break point by Sharapova, Azarenka had a 2-0 lead. After consolidating, Azarenka put on the pressure to get to deuce after Sharapova was at 40-love.

With a one handed backhand winner off the return, Azarenka had her third break point of the fourth game and converted with a net court winner for 4-0. Consequently, Azarenka was up a double break and had nine successive games.

But, Sharapova ever the fighter did not make it easy for the Belarusian. By forcing a few mistakes from Azarenka who had committed only a handful previously, Sharapova broke for 1-4.

Sharapova chipped away, narrowing the deficit to 3-4. However, by pushing a forehand long, Sharapova faced break point. When the Russian double faulted the very next point, Azarenka arrived at 5-3.

With Azarenka serving for the match, Sharapova dismissed two match points and was gifted the break on a double fault. Yet, the issue was Sharapova’s own serve.

Sharapova had held serve only once thus far. With a backhand down the line winner, Azarenka arrived at break point which was also her third match point. With Sharapova netting another forehand, Azarenka had the championship and her sixth tour victory.

Down 0-4 in the second set, Sharapova tried to make a match of it but stated “it’s a little bit too late to pick up the pace. . Against a player like her you have to have that level from the beginning or she’s going to go with it and only get better. She’ll gain more confidence. She did many things better today. She was the aggressive one; she returned better”.

Considering where she was ten weeks ago with the flu, having to pull out of Paris and unable to practice, Sharapova expressed that she was satisfied with the last four weeks “I was in no shape or form to even play a tournament. . . So it’s really amazing that I even achieved this. I came into Indian Wells without a lot of expectations”.

With her finalist status, Sharapova on Monday will be ranked at number nine. Along with Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati is the sole player to have failed to win in Miami her first three times.

Azarenka was very satisfied with her play today “I think I had the right tactics. She likes to swing big and when she has time, it’s very heavy and comes back fast. So I was trying to take time away [from her]. . . But in the end she really stepped it up. I don’t think I did anything wrong, she was just going for her shots, catching few lines and playing really well. So I just had to really hang in there and keep playing my game”.

In the past, Azarenka had outbursts on court when things went south. Today, the Belarusian was very composed even after Sharapova was at 3-4.

Azarenka explained “I went home, spent three days by myself and just realized a few things what I want to do with my life, how to really find that balance. I guess it takes time and sometimes loneliness to realize what you have to do with your life”.

At that time, Azarenka had an epiphany that she would “do the best I can. . . fight for every ball. . . [but] the outcome is not up to me. So I just came to practice and I tried every day to be happy, to enjoy myself on the court”.

It seems a matter of time before this 21 year old hoists a majors’ trophy. Thus, MiamiTennisNews.com asked if she had a preference.

Azarenka replied “ No. It’s the same points. Maybe a little bit of difference in the prize money, but any title is good”. She agreed though that her game is better suited to hardcourt, still “you have to adjust and be smart with how you prepare to play on clay or grass. I’ve had good [results] on grass. . .so we’ll see”.

With this victory, Azarenka will match her career best ranking of number six.

Defending champion Serena Williams’ proclivity to win the Australian Open in uneven years is well documented. Regrettably for Justine Henin, Serena decided not to stick to tradition in 2010.  In the final, Serena blocked Justine 6-4, 3-6, 6-2 to claim her fifth Australian Open trophy.

Serena was under the gun from the first game. Williams dumped a forehand into the net to give Henin double break point.  But, as she has done over and over this fortnight, with good serves, Serena salvaged a four deuce game.  After holding serve, helped by the net, Henin earned another break point with a backhand return winner. Again, Serena erased the deficit with an ace.  Supreme at saving break points, Serena captured this five deuce game with an overhead winner for 2-1.  Subsequently, aided by a Henin double fault, Serena set up triple break point with a backhand crosscourt winner.  Williams capitalized when Henin’s forehand went wide. However, due to a rash of errors Williams faced double break point.  After saving one with an ace, Serena got a break when a backhand volley winner by Justine was mistakenly judged long; the point was replayed.  On the do-over, Serena consolidated for 4-1.  Later, Serena handed Justine two chances to get back on serve with a series of miscues.  With a forehand crosscourt winner, Justine did just that and went on to equalize the set at 4 all.  Yet, after Serena captured her game at love, Justine donated a couple of set points with a double fault and backhand error.  When Henin’s backhand skinned the net and landed long, Williams secured the first set.

In the second set, Henin and Williams traded roles. The second game, Justine came up with a couple of great serves to obliterate double break point.  Afterwards, with a backhand winner, Justine broke Serena at love for a 2-1 edge.  Still, the very next game, Henin allowed Williams to level the set.  At 2-3, after dismissing another break point, Henin reached a great drop and flicked a forehand volley crosscourt winner for advantage point.  When Serena netted another forehand, the set was equalized at 3.  Energized, the next game, Henin manufactured a second break opportunity with a backhand volley winner and converted when Williams’ backhand traveled long.  After Henin consolidated with a love game for 5-3; she broke Serena at love to capture the set.

In the decisive set, Henin opened with a love hold.  Then, when Serena’s attempt at serve and volley failed, Henin had double break point.  Once again, Serena bombed a couple of aces to shovel herself out for 1 all.  Subsequently, as Justine’s forehand up the line sailed long, Serena arrived at double break point.  With a sinking backhand stroke, Serena caused Justine to push the backhand volley into the net, thereby obtaining the break for 2-1.  But, with three consecutive forehand errors by Williams, Henin was at triple break point.  When Henin crushed a forehand return crosscourt, the set was equalized.  Still, with another double fault by Henin and a backhand up the line winner, Serena got another break opportunity.  Serena cashed in when Justine bungled an easy backhand crosscourt.  Despite pressure from her rival, Serena stretched her lead to 4-2 with a second serve ace. Then, with a dipping backhand, Serena forced Henin into a backhand volley mistake leading to two break opportunities.  When Henin’s backhand floated long, Williams took a commanding 5-2 edge.  Serena sealed the championship with backhand crosscourt winner.

As a former world number one, hopes were high that Henin would do well upon rejoining the tour.  Nevertheless, the final of her first two tournaments including a major, even for Henin, that is tantamount to a dream.  Just four weeks after returning, Henin will be ranked in the top 40.

In the quarterfinals against Victoria Azarenka, Serena had perhaps the comeback of her career.  After being ahead 6-4, 4-0, Azarenka who played spectacularly from start to finish came out on the losing end.  This was the hint that this would be yet again Serena’s year.  Serena becomes the first woman since Jennifer Capriati in 2002 to successfully defend.  Williams also ties Billy Jean King with 12 majors.