Confetti cannon gives Serena, Azarenka almighty fright

Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka were given the fright of their lives when a confetti cannon went off during the post-game ceremony of the Indian Wells final.

Azarenka had just received her winner's trophy after beating the World No.1 when the loud explosion saw both players jump out of their skin.

The 26-year-old Belarusian wrapped up the win in just under 90 minutes in front of a stunned crowd at the sun-baked Indian Wells Tennis Garden.

An emotional Azarenka, the 13th seed who claimed her first Indian Wells crown in 2012, was able to celebrate her fourth victory over Williams in a WTA final.

"I had no doubt in my mind that I will give everything I can," Azarenka told ESPN in a courtside interview about the see-sawing final game of the match.

"I couldn't control how she was going to play and she was throwing some bombs there.

"But I stayed tough because it's the only way to win, to stay strong, to keep doing what's been working. I just wanted to work hard, give it my all, and it worked."