Azarenka wins women's singles bronze for Belarus

LONDON - World number one Victoria Azarenka bounced back from her semi-final thrashing to claim bronze in the Olympic tennis women's singles at Wimbledon on Saturday, defeating Russia's Maria Kirilenko 6-3 6-4 in an hour and a half.

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka returns to Russia's Maria Kirilenko in their women's singles tennis bronze medal match at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]

The Belarussian, who won just three games in her Friday defeat by America's Serena Williams, took an early lead against Kirilenko on a blustery Court One.

Kirilenko made her opponent work, fighting back to level the score more than once but she was ultimately overpowered by Azarenka, who fell to her knees as the Russian netted the ball to hand her the victory.    

Fellow Russian Maria Sharapova will play Williams in the final later, where both women will be looking to complete the "golden slam" of all four majors and an Olympic singles gold.

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka celebrates after defeating Russia's Maria Kirilenko in the women's singles tennis bronze medal game at the All England Lawn Tennis Club during the London 2012 Olympic Games August 4, 2012. [Photo/Agencies]