Victoria Azarenka topples Serena Williams to take Indian Wells

Victoria Azarenka cruised past top-seeded Serena Williams to record a 6-4, 6-4 victory in Sunday's women's championship match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Azarenka, seeded 13th, was the better player in the 91-degree heat in the Southern California desert. The former top-ranked player held off a charge from Williams in the second set and closed out the match when Williams made three straight errors.

Williams had 33 unforced errors and smashed her racket in frustration after finding herself down 3-0 in the second set.

Williams was emotional afterward while recalling that she and sister Venus had a rough experience at Indian Wells in 2001 and the sisters vowed not to come back.

"It was really hard, the last moment I had here wasn't the greatest moment, so thank you so much, Williams told the crowd. "Thank you so much for the cheers, I can't even begin to tell you what it means."

The victory will boost Azarenka back into the Top 10. She will be ranked eighth by the WTA Tour on Monday.

She chose to heap praise on Williams during the post-match ceremony.

"I know emotional it was for you to be back here," Azarenka said. "You truly inspired so many people out there to see the type of commitment you have to the game. It is truly inspiring and thank you for that from the bottom of my heart.

"You are am amazing competitor. You changed our game and honestly if it wasn't for you, how hard you work and seeing you play so well, I wouldn't be as motivated to come back and work so hard. So I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the sport."