Brisbane, Australia (My Sportsbook) - Victoria Azarenka tossed her racket in the air and the monkey off her back, rolling past France's Marion Bartoli in straight sets to capture her first career singles title at the $220,000 Brisbane International, a season-opening event on the WTA Tour.

The second-seeded Azarenka of Belarus cruised past Bartoli 6-3, 6-1 to win her first title after four previous near misses. Azarenka was the runner-up to Na Li in this event at Gold Coast last year, and has had three other final appearances ending in heartache.

"The way I was thinking on court was very different from before," said Azarenka. "I was playing every point, no matter what happened. I wasn't thinking about the fact that I was playing in a final. I was thinking it was a regular match, regular points. There weren't any nerves. I think that helped me today. I don't really believe I've won yet. Everybody says the third time is the charm, but for me it's the fifth one - I'm just glad I finally got it!"

Azarenka dominated Bartoli's serve, breaking the third-seeded star six times and winning in just 71 minutes. Bartoli was well rested entering the title bout after Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, her semifinal opponent, retired in the first set of their semifinal match with a left thigh strain.

"It was a tighter match than the score showed," said Bartoli. "All the games were very tight, going to advantage, deuce, advantage, deuce... there were a lot of break points. I think overall it was a great match. She was coming up with some great shots. I wasn't able to move her like I should have. I tried my best, but she was just better."

The 19-year-old Azarenka didn't drop a set all week and denied Bartoli her first singles title since 2006.

With the victory, Azarenka pocketed a winner's check of $37,000 and improved to 2-0 lifetime versus her French counterpart.