Azarenka Bulldozes Her Way Into Aussie Second Round
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka steamrolled into the second-round of the Australian Open, defeating Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium 6-0, 6-0 in just 53 minutes.
“I’m pretty happy—I don’t think I’m looking for perfection, I’m looking for effort. I’m looking for focus,” said Azarenka. “I like that I was very composed today from the first point to the last point. It did matter what the score was in the match, I was there on every point. So that’s what I’m very happy about today.”
Many people came into this tournament with the belief that Azarenka was a favorite based on her play in Brisbane and her past triumphs here. She is now 6-0 in 2016 and has lost just 17 games over the course of those six matches.
Azarenka took advantage of 25 unforced errors from Van Uytvanck, while playing a near flawless match herself, committing just seven unforced errors. She broke six times in nine chances.
Up next for the red-hot Azarenka is Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic, who ousted American Samantha Crawford 6-2, 6-4 on Tuesday.
Former world number one Ana Ivanovic cruised into the second round with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Australia’s Tammi Patterson.
The win was big for Ivanovic, who was defeated in the first round last year in Melbourne.
“No, not pressure—it just means a lot to me, to be through,” said Ivanovic. “Every match is a new challenge. It wasn’t really the beginning I had [in mind] in this Aussie tour, but I’m really happy to have the victory here and hopefully I can improve in my next match.”
Ivanovic will take on Latvia’s Anastasija Sevastova, who led Australia’s Jarmila Wolfe 6-0, 4-2 when Wolfe retired.
Seventh-seed Angelique Kerber and 30th seed Sabine Lisicki also won to advance to the second-round.
