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Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, the top two women in the game, are fierce foes on the tennis court. But off the court, they're completely at ease with one another.

Victoria Azarenka took a thrashing from the media and from fans. But in the end, she blocked out all the negativity to win the Australian Open.

We're still not quite sure why Victoria Azarenka left the court for so long in a controversial win over Sloane Stephens. We just know, it smells like gamesmanship.

Sloane Stevens, two months shy of her 20th birthday, appeared as stunned as anyone in the moments after upsetting third-seeded Serena Williams, who hadn't lost a match since late August.

With Week 1 of the Australian Open in the books, Serena Williams still looks like the player to beat. But don't rule out Victoria Azarenka or Maria Sharapova, eitiher. Or how about a first-time Grand Slam winner?

After getting off to a fast start, it took American Sloane Stephens three sets to finally put away Serbia's Bojana Jovanovski 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

Top-seeded Victoria Azarenka stumbled briefly, but recovered and rolled against Monica Niculescu. Time will tell if Serena Williams recovers fully from a rolled ankle suffered in her 6-0, 6-0 win.

Victoria Azarenka is ready to defend her 2012 Australian Open title when the tournament gets under way in Melbourne on Monday. The Belarusian is the No. 1-ranked player in the world and top seed. If healthy, she should have a clear path to the semis.

Sure, Victoria Azarenka only has one Grand Slam title to her credit, but the current No. 1 has proved she belongs among tennis' elite ranks.

The Williams sisters seemed down and out, but 2012 proved to be a career year for Serena Williams. Her comeback was the biggest story of the year, but not the only one.

A healthy Serena Williams took the U.S. Open by storm as she chases history and Grand Slam titles. And retirement isn't in her game plan.

Rain may have changed the date for the women's final, but no one could change the eventual outcome as Serena Williams steamrolled to her fourth U.S. Open title.

After winning Wimbledon in July and a gold medal at the Olympics a few weeks later, Serena Williams finished her summer by capturing her fourth U.S. Open title and 15th Grand Slam event.

No. 1 Victoria Azarenka was extended to three sets in her previous two matches, including Friday's semifinal. Serena Williams, her final opponent, has lost just 19 games the entire tournament.

Victoria Azarenka outgrunted Maria Sharapova to win in three loud sets, while Serena Williams lost just three games in her semifinal against No 10-seeded Sara Errani.

Victoria Azarenka was pushed to three sets. The crowd was pulling for defending champ Sam Stosur. But the top seed proved playing under pressure is one of the things she does best.