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Greatness beckons Azarenka

Greatness beckons Azarenka

01/26/2012 09:28:37 AM

Victoria Azarenka's rapid rise in women's tennis could be complete on Saturday if she can defeat Russian Maria Sharapova to claim her maiden Grand Slam title and become the No.1 player in the world.

Azarenka actually turned professional back in 2003 when Justine Henin was the top ranked female, but it's only in the past three years that the 22-year-old from Belarus has really made a name for herself.

She didn't win her first final on the WTA Tour until she was victorious over Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli at the Brisbane International in 2009 and since then she has added a further eight titles to her trophy cabinet.

But it's plain to see she is on her way to greater things and a win over Sharapova in the Australian Open final may well lead to a prolonged period of dominance for her in the women's game.

In 2011 Azarenka lost just 17 matches on tour, while being successful in 55 and already in 2012 she is undefeated.

It has been a long time coming for Azarenka, who didn't crack the top 100 in the women's rankings until 2006 and it took her a further three years to reach the top 10.

Azarenka's journey has seen her take on many different opponents around the world and she admitted she is still in disbelief at how much she has improved in recent years.

"I turned to the pro tour really early," she said.

"I was just trying to grow and see how I can handle it and just to mix it up a little bit."

"When I had just turned 16 I was playing full-time on tour and I was really small."

"I remember even a few girls who are playing quallies here, I was playing with them then and they were kicking my ass."

Azarenka may have been outclassed in her early days on the WTA Tour, but she has matured in recent years and has developed into one of the best talents in the women's game.

She has many admirers, but none as supportive as manager Meilen Tu.

Tu, a former professional player on tour herself, manages a bevy of top players, with Caroline Wozniacki, Anna Chakvetadze and Azarenka among her impressive client list.

But it's Azarenka that Tu currently holds at the top of her list and it's the Belarusian's legs that she clearly admires the most.

Tu has taken to Twitter to show her affection to Azarenka's long legs and this hasn't been lost on the current world No.3.

"She (Tu) is just really jealous of my legs," Azarenka said with a laugh.

"She has a beautiful body and all, but she just doesn't have the length of my legs so she is jealous."

There is already a lot to like about Azarenka, but there could be more to come if she can claim that elusive first major on Saturday.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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