Victoria Azarenka celebrates her Miami Open victory ©Getty Images

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka powered to a straight-sets victory over Russian rival Svetlana Kuznetsova to claim a third Miami Open women's singles title at the Tennis Center in Crandon Park.

Azarenka, winner in Miami in 2009 and 2011, required just 77 minutes to see off Kuznetsova for the loss of just five games, 6-3, 6-2 in a tournament that is an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event.

She becomes only the third women to achieve the Indian Wells and Miami Open double after Germany's Steffi Graf, who did so in 1994 and 1996, and Belgium's Kim Clijsters in 2005.

"I've been reminded of this since the quarter-finals on social media - 'she's going for the Sunshine Double,'" the 26-year-old said afterwards.

"I've done really well not to get distracted by the future and concentrate on the present."

Svetlana Kuznetsova enjoyed a successful tournament but found the final a match too far ©Getty Images
Svetlana Kuznetsova enjoyed a successful tournament but found the final a match too far ©Getty Images

The former world number one and two-time Australian Open winner will now return to the world's top five after an injury-hampered two years. 

Azarenka is now targeting the world number one spot held by United States' dominant Serena Williams.

"Being fit and being prepared helps a lot," she added.

"I definitely have a different approach and perspective from a couple of years ago."

The final performed a match too far for Kuznetsova, who had knocked-out three-time defending champion Williams en route to the final.

Action is set to conclude in Miami tomorrow with a men's singles final pitting Serbia's top seed Novak Djokovic against Kei Nishikori of Japan.