Victoria Azarenka Australia Open 2012 champion

Victoria Azarenka too happy after winning the Australia Open championship. (AP)

Maria Sharapova with her runner-up trophy. (AP)

Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka shaking hands. (AP)

Maria Sharapova has been playing well and cruising through the Australia Open. At the final, it seems like she was not at her best and Victoria Azarenka went on to score to win the game 6-3 6-0 claiming the championship title. Initially she was thinking of whether to quit tennis and now with this new championship, she can choose to retire in glory or perhaps move on to continue the game. Now being World Number One she can enjoy this moment and now her thoughts on the other things can be cast aside. Maria Sharapova though she did not win the championship she had moved up to the third spot and achieved at least a runner-up trophy too.

Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka securing the berths at Australia Open Final

Maria Sharapova after winning Petra Kvitova at the semi finals. (Getty)

Rafael Nadal after securing the berth at the final. (Getty)

Maria Sharapova has finally secured the berth at the Australia Open final. She will be facing Victoria Azarenka who won defending champion Kim Clijsters at the semi finals. Maria Sharapova has climbed up in ranks now at fourth ranking and Victoria Azarenka at third ranking will be competing not only for the championship title but also for the World Number One place this time. Whoever has won will replace Caroline Wozniacki the current World Number One. In the Men's game Rafael Nadal has once again won Roger Federer and it has been some time since Roger Federer has not won Rafael Nadal at the grand slam Both always show top skills when playing and the more flamboyant player won again. Rafael Nadal will now play at the final.

Australia Open continues to show excitment featuring the top players

 

Moving on in the Australia Open 2012, Maria Sharapova continues to advance and now competing the berth for semi-finals. She won Sabine Lisicki in her fourth round and will be facing fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarov. Ana Ivanovic was cruising too until she met Petra Kvitova. World Number One Caroline Wozniacki was on her target for her first grand slam winning former world number one Jelena Jankovic 6-0. 7-5. But facing Kim Clijster another former world number one she could not stand against the experience and precision of this veteran player on the court and she lost 6-3, 7-6 at the quarter finals. 

Both Ana and Caroline red and orange dress were actually one of the nicest looking attire in this game with Maria Sharapova's fresh green. Caronline's orange gave the brightness on court that could really entice one. Of course the fresh green of Maria Sharapova is still the best among all. 

In the Men's singles side, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal continues to advance too. Roger is still leading with a 6-4, 2-1 against Juan Martin del Potro.

Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki and more continue at Australia Open

 

Maria Sharapova striking back at the Australia Open. (AFP)

Waving to the crowd who supports her at the game. (AP)

Maria Sharapova and Gisela Dulko after the game. (AFP)

Caroline Wozniacki with her fans. (AFP)

Sorana Cirstea playing hard against Samantha Stosur. (AFP)

Rafael Nadal the fanciful former World Number One stretching out to return. (AP)

It was another interesting season at the Australia Open. Top players continue top players dropped new players rising and all these can be seen at the Australia Open 2012. Maria Sharapova the ever charming player continues to move on to the third round performing well winning in two rounds against Gisela Dulko and Jamie Hampton. Her fashion style is as usual another attractive thing about her and this time this tennis attire she is wearing really makes a difference. It really appeals to the eyes and make her feel so much fresher and energetic.

Caroline Wozniacki the World Number One has much to prove as she has not win a grand slam. Look at her fans' gifts for her which look like gigantic tennis balls that are really adorable. She still is popular and has her support from the crowd it seems. She also continues to the next games.

A newer player Sorana is one to look out for as she won Samantha Stosur US open champion. Other notable players such as Kim Cljisters continue to advance too. At the Men's open Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer cruises as usual and is always exciting to see them play at the later finals. More to come from the Australia Open and the heat is just getting stronger from the players.

Maria Sharapova ready and practicing for the Australia Open

Maria Sharapova the former champion of the Australia Open mentioned that she will be ready for the Australia Open. It has been some time since she won the grand slam. Her rankings fell when she injured her arm but with her power shots she managed to climb up in ranks again. Competing at the Australia Open she has been practicing for this and she said this will be the beginning where she will know where her opponents are. True enough since this will be the first major tournament of the year where all players will play their best to win a shot to be the crowning champion. She will be facing some her compatriots who are pretty strong themselves when she advances and her first match will be with Argentina's Gilsea Dulko. Maria Sharapova looks pretty good in shape from her practicing session. She certainly looks set to win this championship title.

Australia Open commercial for 2012

While awaiting for the open ceremony of the Australia Open, one can check out their commercial which in comparison to the previous year this was so much better in engaging the audience. This is a grand event and it is also a sport that is filled with passion thus it should show both of these elements. In this commercial, it aims to engage the audience to feel with the players, the game and the place. More importantly it makes the audience want to watch on and also feel that the open is going to be really nice. Few more days for this exciting open to come.

First major tennis tournament in 2012

The Australia Open is the first major tennis tournament also known as Grand Slam in 2012. The tournament has a long history traced back to 1905 and like the rest of the other grand slams, it involves high cash prize and ranking points.

A professional player at the grand slam can earn just about $20,000 for winning the first round all the way to $2 million plus for the championship title. The winner of the tournament can get about 2000 ranking points.

It is also a tournament where it can see high audience rate. Most if not all of the top professional players will certainly be at this event and perform the best they could in this. Coming soon in two weeks time, the players are definitely in their last preparation for the tournament and will be exciting to see them.

Kim Clijsters emerged as champion of Australia Open 2011

 

The champion and runner up of the Australia Open 2011. (Getty images)

It was something indeed when Li Na from China has become the first finalist in a grand slam which even more, she won the World No. 1 to do so. She continue to put up a good game winning the first set. However Mother's power prevailed as experienced and former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters showed her skills at the next two games taking the trophy home with the score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-3. Interesting game indeed. With a few US Open titles to her bag, Kim is happy to have her first Australia Open title and she even said that now her fans can her Aussie Kim. 

The finals at the Australia Open

 

Serena Williams winner of the Australia Open 2010. (Getty)

Serena Williams hitting back the ball to Justine Henin. (Reuters)

Former World No.1 from the previous generation Justine Henin holding on to her trophy. (Reuters)

Justine Henin stretching out to hit the ball. (Reuters)

Roger Federer in his swift move again. (Reuters)

Another cool move from the World No. 1 (Reuters)

Andy Murray running to reach for the ball. (Reuters)

The finals at the Australia Open were certainly exciting as giants pit against giants, the World No. 1 at the matches and both at the Women and Men finals, all players put up a great game. At the Women's final, former World No. 1 and current World No. 1 Justine Henin and Serena Williams respectively played against each other. Both showed great determination to win, serving strong and using wits forcing each other to go into errors. The score at the end of the two rounds were 6-4, 3-6 and the last match will be a deciding factor of who will be the winner.

Both have so much to prove, for Justine Henin she wants to prove that she still has it there and the current World No. 1 Serena Williams aim to have ther 12th grand slam titles to tie with all time tennis great Billie Jean King who was there at the match. At the last match Justine Henin seems to tire out a little and Serena Williams saw that and quickly strike to win the game. The finals score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

At the Men's final, Andy Murray have what he wanted by playing against the tennis great Roger Federer. He wanted to win the World No. 1 and be the first British player to win a grand slam after so long. But Roger Federer is not to be reckon with at all. He showed who he was and what he was made off. He served and strike back with cool moves and won 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (13-11). He had managed to win this 16th grand slam titles once again showing he is one of the tennis great of all times. It was an interesting open tournament throughout with most of the top players at the game.

The semi-finals at the Australia Open

 

Defending champion Serena Williams doing a back hand. (EPA)

Serena Williams and Li Na shaking hand after the semi-finals. 

Former World No. 1 Justine Henin striking back. (Herald Sun)

When the two Chinese players Li Na and Zheng Jie made in to the semi-finals together winning other players like Maria Kirilenko, it was a great advancement made by the two tennis players so far in tennis history. The fans were elated and they were really proud of them. However at the semi-finals both met World No.1 players and they were too strong to defend this time. 

Defending champion Serena Williams eased past China's Li Na 7-6 7-6 to reach the final of the Australian Open and this will be her fifth title she will be bidding at Melbourne. Li Na put up a great challenge but Serena Williams' strong serves tired her. Justine Henin on the other hand had an easier game at the semi-finals winning Zheng Jie 6-1 6-0. She will be meeting the current World No. 1 at the final and this will be one match that many will be interested to watch.

Roger Federer had a tough game but he won Nikolay Davydenko 2-6 6-3 6-0 7-5. He had stopped the champion of the last two tournaments and will be advancing to the semi-finals. If he wins, he will be meeting Andy Murray where Andy Murray is wanting to play with the current World No. 1

The game continues at the Australia Open

Daniela hantuchova giving a shot against Li Na.

 

Gisela Dulko after scoring against Ana Ivanovic.

Feeling disappointed was the former World No. 1 who was out at round 2. (Reuters)

Serena Williams shaking hand with another top player Samantha Stosur. (Reuters)

The action at the Australia Open continues with moments of joy and some sadness for some. One would be Ana Ivanovic who actually said she will do well at the Open but was knocked out at the second round by Gisela Dulko. However Gilsea was out in the third round later on. Daniela Hantuchova another prominent player who recently had also moved to using Adidas from Nike joining Ana in the Adidas endorsement, played well until she met fiery Li Na from China who won her in an exciting match.

Li Na moves on to the quarter finals together with Zheng Jie another China player and this is by far the first time the China players has made such progress. She will meet Venus William next and it will be another thrilling match for the spectators. World No. 1 Serena Williams continues to make smooth progress at the games cruising from game to game. She won another top player Samantha Stosur and moved on to the quarter-finals.

Comeback champions Clijsters out and Henin still in

Nadia Petrova striking hard against US Open Champion former World No. 1. (Getty)

Kim Clijsters struggling in the court for the first time since her comeback. (Reuters)

The comeback champion former World No. 1 continue to show her skills. (Getty)

As the Australia Open continues, Kim Clijsters who has won two tournaments recently after she come back, was not able to found herself on the court and lost to Nadia Petrova in about 52 minutes. From the way she played, Clijsters was not really herself but it cannot be denied that Petrova took control of the game fast and sieze every opportunity to end the game fast. The score was  6-0, 6-1 at the end of the game.

On the other hand the other comeback champion Justine Henin continue to perform and win the games. She knocked out Russian fifth seed Elena Dementieva 7-5, 7-6 in the second round. Elena Dementieva was also actually an Olympic Champion. Justine Henin later on won Alisa Kleybanova 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 to proceed on to the next round. One more round and she be in for the semi-finals.

The Top Male and Female player move on at the Australia Open...

The World No. 1 serves the ball. (Reuters)

 The World No. 1 roars after scoring. (Reuters)

The World No. 1 returning the ball. (AP)

Switzerland's Roger Federer was against Igor Andreev of Russia at his first round and he actually lost the first game but later on he went back and win 4-6 6-2 7-6 6-0. It was probably a joy for the Russian Player at the start and certainly not for the World No. 1. But when Roger Federer get back to his mode there was no way that the Russian could catch up any longer. However, there were also some tough moments between the two at the middle where both struggled to take the lead.

At the female match, the World No. 1 Serena Williams played her best as usual with a 6-2, 6-1 win over 18-year-old Urszula Radwanska. There wasn't much controversy about the match this time where at the other time she rebuked a judge's call angrily and she was fined $82,500 and warned she could be suspended from the U.S. Open for another "major offense" at any Grand Slam event in the next two years.

The first match that involves Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko at the Australia Open

Maria Sharapova former champion striking the ball. (Getty images)

Maria Kirilenko winning the point. (Getty)

A very disappointed Maria Sharapova. (Getty)

A handshakes between the two young Maria from Russia. (Getty)

The match between Maria Sharapova and Maria Kirilenko the two young Russians with the former as the World No. 1 was a great opening for all spectators to watch. Maria Sharapova was also considered as the crowd puller if not her tennis skills then her style. But this year, she is the first to be out. Maria Kirilenko played relatively alright winning 7-6, 3-6, 6-4. Maria Sharapova had actually signed a endorsement deal with Nike that is said to be worth 43 million pounds. Probably the sponsors would expect the former World No. 1 to stay longer in the court but Maria Sharapova will of course continue to play in other tournaments. What a start at the Australia Open. There are more exciting games to come.