NESN

Victoria Azarenka’s Second Australian Open Title Latest Step in Emergence of Young Tennis Star (Photos)

On Saturday, world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka completed her run through seven matches in 12 days to win her second consecutive Australian Open title and continue her dominance over the tennis world at just 23 years of age.

Azarenka began her career way back in 2003 when she was just 14 years old. Azarenka raced through the junior rankings and won two junior Grand Slams in 2005 — the French and U.S. Open championships. By the end of 2005 she would top the junior world rankings and become the International Tennis Federation’s World Champion, the first player from Belarus to do so.

Azarenka progressed through the first part of her professional career, but in 2012, she started to take the extra step. Azarenka won four straight tournaments, including the 2012 Australian Open — her first career Grand Slam — not to mention her first career No. 1 ranking.

This only continued to motivate Azarenka into the 2013 season, where she continued her dominance with a successful title defense at the 2013 Australian Open. Azarenka outlasted Li Na in three sets to win her second career Grand Slam. Azarenka has potential in her corner and has become stronger and stronger throughout her entire career.

Check out Azarenka’s career through the years>>