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 The 26-year-old Belarusian broke the top-seeded American once in
the opening set and twice in the second before wrapping up the win
in just under 90 minutes in front of a stunned crowd at the
sun-baked Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
World number one Williams, seeking a third title at Indian Wells
after winning her second a distant 15 years ago, was badly let down
by her forehand, though she did mount a late fightback and broke
Azarenka in the eighth game of the second set for 3-5.
The American came close to leveling with Azarenka, serving for the
match, wobbling at 15-40 but the Belarusian fired an ace, got to
deuce when Williams hit a backhand long and clinched victory when
her opponent hit a forehand service return long.
A visibly emotional Azarenka, the 13th seed who claimed her first
Indian Wells crown in 2012, was able to celebrate her fourth victory
over Williams in a WTA final, and a 19th career title.
 "I had no doubt in my mind that I will give everything I can,"
Azarenka told ESPN in a courtside interview about the see-sawing
final game of the match.
"I couldn't control how she was going to play and she was throwing
some bombs there.
"But I stayed tough because it's the only way to win, to stay
strong, to keep doing what's been working. I just wanted to work
hard, give it my all, and it worked."
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Williams was also emotional, having won at Indian Wells in 1999 and
2001 before taking a self-imposed 14-year exile from the event
amidst allegations of racial abuse from fans after her sister Venus
withdrew minutes before their semi-final showdown.
"It was really hard, the last moment I had here wasn't the greatest
moment, so thank you so much," the 34-year-old told the crowd.
"Thank you so much for the cheers, I can't tell you how much it
means to me."
Williams, a 21-time grand slam singles champion, made a poor start,
trailing 0-40 on her usually powerful serve in the first game of the
match before double faulting to be broken.
Azarenka clinched the opening set in 41 minutes and then continued
her dominance, breaking Williams twice to take control of the second
set.
(Reporting by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles; Editing by Andrew
Both)
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