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In a refreshing change from the usual, it was youth which triumphed over experience in a battle of nerves. The young Victoria Azarenka recovered from a mid match slump to prevail over the Defending Champion Li Na in 3 sets in the final of the APIA Sydney International, heading into next week's Australian Open as a serious contender to challenge for the title.

Both players had taken different paths to the final. Li Na had dropped the first set in her second round match against the South African qualifier Chanelle Scheepers, won a tough quarter-final against the left-handed Lucie Safarova and wriggled her way out of a difficult position against the World No.2 Petra Kvitova in the semi-finals to make her way into the final. The Belarusian on the other hand, barring her semi-final against the No. 7 seed Agnieszka Radwanska , had a relatively smooth ride to the grand finale.

The first set was a display of nerves and each player took some time to adjust and play her natural game. Surprisingly though, it was the French Open Champion who blinked first, outdone by her younger opponent with some consistent baseline play. Azarenka taking the set 6-2 courtesy of a double break.

Inexplicably enough, Li Na's best game continued to desert her as she lost the opening service game of the second set. But quite clearly, having fought back from this situation on multiple occasions in the tournament, the Chinese just had to come back. And come back she did as Azarenka lost her focus and Li Na capitalised on the moment and won six consecutive games to take the second set 6-1.

Li Na had served out the second set, which meant the No.3 seed Victoria Azarenka had the mental comfort of starting off the third set. After an early exchange of service breaks, the set went on serve till the crucial eighth game. Li Na momentarily lost concentration and played a forgettable game, hitting the ball everywhere except within the confines of the court, losing the game and going behind 3-5. Serving for the match and the Championship, Azarenka staved off the powerful groundstrokes of Li Na and finally emerged victorious on her second match point after saving two breakpoints in the deciding game.

The win meant that Azarenka was richer by $107,000 for her week's efforts whereas Li Na took home $57,000 as prize money.

Victoria Azarenka, whose maiden Grand Slam appearance in the 2006 Australian Open ended in a first round loss to India's Sania Mirza, heads into the first grand slam of the year with tremendous self-belief. Azarenka has a tough opening round in prospect this year too with young Briton Heather Watson expected to give her quite a work out. Self-belief and big-match temperament have hurt the Belarusian in the past, making her the proverbial 'so near yet so far' player on the women's tour. Maybe this is the year when she will change the script.

Scores:

Singles - Final
(3) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. (4) Li Na (CHN) 62 16 63

Doubles - Final
(1) Peschke/Srebotnik (CZE/SLO) d. (2) Huber/Raymond (USA/USA) 61 46 13-11

File Photograph Copyright: Porsche Tennis Grand Prix