STANFORD, Calif. (AP) -- Victoria Azarenka beat Maria Sharapova 6-4, 6-1 on Sunday to win the Bank of the West Classic, her first title of the season.
After the final point, Azarenka dropped her racket, covered her eyes and walked slowly to the net to shake hands with Sharapova. She went over to hug her coach and returned to the court to acknowledge the crowd.
Azarenka, who earned $107,000 for her win, beat Sharapova for the first time in three years and the first time on hard court. They have split four career meetings.
Azarenka, who won her fourth career title, will be No. 12 in the world when the rankings are released Monday. Sharapova, who was looking to become the first woman with three titles this year, rises to No. 13.