In Pictures: Australian Open

Women(***)s champion Kim Clijsters got her title defence off to a strong start with a 7-5 6-1 win over Portugal(***)s Maria Joao Koehler [GETTY]

Australian crowds had much to cheer about with teenager Bernard Tomic coming back from a two-set deficit to beat 2009 semi-finalist Fernando Verdasco 4-6 6-7 6-4 6-2 7-5 in four hours, 11 minutes on Rod Laver Arena [GETTY]

Roger Federer showed no sign of back trouble as he cruised into the second round with a 7-5 6-2 6-2 victory over qualifier Alexander Kudryavtsev [GETTY]

World number one Novak Djokovic flew through to the second round with a 6-2, 6-0, 6-0 crushing of Italian Paolo Lorenzi. There were no upsets at the top of the men(***)s game with Andy Murray passing his first test against Ryan Harrison, even though he did have fans worried when he went an early set down [AFP]

The first upset of the Australian Open saw home favourite and sixth seed Sam Stosur crash out in the first round. Despite a poor record at Melbourne, a lot had been expected from the player who won the US Open last season and entered the competition with such high expectations [GALLO/GETTY]

Rafael Nadal remains on a collision course with Roger Federer as he advanced to the third round with victory over Tommy Haas [GETTY]

David Nalbandian rages against the referee after his controversial second round loss to American John Isner. "I mean, it(***)s ridiculous playing this kind of tournament with this kind of umpires. What is this?," he said after his 4-6 6-3 2-6 7-6 10-8 defeat [GETTY]

Serena Williams reaches the third round in straight sets against Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic on Thursday, despite having only played two warmup matches after injury [GALLO/GETTY]

Andy Murray(***)s third round match with France(***)s Michael Llodra was so easy the Brit even had some time to do a somersault on court. In a 6-4, 6-2, 6-0 win, Murray looked on top of his game and later told the media he had had fun on the court. We can see that for ourselves! [GALLO/GETTY]

Roger Federer fired through to the quarter-finals knocking out home hope and youngster Bernard Tomic with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory. Second seed Rafael Nadal also made the next round with a comfortable 6-4,6-4,6-2 win over Feliciano Lopez on a sweltering Rod Laver Arena [GALLO/GETTY]

Kim Clijsters battled through ankle injury and saved four match points to stun fifth seed Li Na and book herself a place in the last eight. The victory means Clijsters will next play world number one Caroline Wozniacki who beat Jelena Jankovic [GALLO/GETTY]

Czech Tomas Berdych got on the wrong side of the crowd during his victory over Nicolas Almagro. The furious player refused to shake hands with his opponent and accused the Spaniard of deliberately hitting a ball at him while he was at the net. Berdych was booed by the crowd after the match [GALLO/GETTY]

The top seeds all made it through to the quarter-finals of the tournament, however, there was a surprise when Serena Williams was knocked out by world number 56 Ekaterina Makarova in the fourth round. The five time winner of the Australian Open struggled on a sun baked court against the younger Russian, losing 6-2,6-3 [GALLO/GETTY]

Roger Federer made sure his 1,000th career match was a good one with a 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 win over Juan Martin de Potro. The victory put the Swiss into the semifinals where he will meet longtime fierce rival... [GALLO/GETTY]

...Rafael Nadal. The fiery Spaniard lashed out at the chair umpire on a number of occasions for different calls on his way to victory over Tomas Berdych. Nadal is seeded above Federer but only has 10 grand slams to his rivals record 16 [GALLO/GETTY]

Caroline Wozniacki threw away her world number one ranking with defeat to reigning Australian Open champion Kim Clijsters in their quarter-final. There are three women who can replace her at the top - Victoria Azarenka, Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova [GALLO/GETTY]

On day ten Maria Sharapova and Petra Kvitova both enjoyed quarter-final wins to set up a rematch of last year(***)s Wimbledon final. They will face the winner of defending champion Kim Clijsters or Belarusian Victoria Azarenka [GETTY]

Scot Andy Murray eased into the last four with victory over Japan(***)s Kei Nishikori, setting up a Friday semi-final clash with an old pal ... [GETTY]

... defending champion Novak Djokovic, who was given a workout by Spain’s David Ferrer in a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 victory [GETTY]

Russian Maria Sharapova and Belarusian Victoria Azarenka meet in the final to battle it out for the Australian Open title and for the women(***)s world number one spot. It is certain to be a noisy final with both women known for their loud on court grunting [GALLO/GETTY]

Rafael Nadal falls to the ground in celebration after beating his nemesis Roger Federer in their semi-final. It seems Federer(***)s younger rival is just too good for the Swiss to beat these days. Nadal will play either Andy Murray or Novak Djokovic in the final Down Under [GALLO/GETTY]

World number one Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray put on a thrilling semi-final for the Australian fans. Their five-set thriller lasted for almost five hours with eventual winner Novak Djokovic claiming it was one of the most emotional and physical games of his career. The exhausted Serb will meet Nadal in the final [GALLO/GETTY]

And the winners are ... Victoria Azarenka wins her maiden Grand Slam title in the women(***)s division with a comprehensive 6-3 6-0 win over a disappointing Maria Sharapova [GETTY]

It was a (***)tough day(***) said Sharapova, who has now been runner-up at two of the last three Grand Slams, after losing last year(***)s Wimbledon decider to Petra Kvitova [GETTY]

And in an epic men(***)s final defending champion Novak Djokovic battled past old rival Rafael Nadal 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5, clocking in at five hours and 53 minutes – the longest title match in grand slam history [GETTY]

It was Djokovic(***)s third consecutive Melbourne title and he has now beaten Nadal in three consecutive grand slam finals [GETTY]