Azarenka, Vinci Roll Into BNP Paribas Fourth Round
Former champion Victoria Azarenka cruised into the BNP Paribas Open fourth-round on Monday, moving past Australian Open quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3.
“She’s a very tricky opponent,” said Azarenka. “She’s playing with so much confidence and so free, and it’s the first time we’ve played each other. So, at the beginning it’s always a moment of adaptation, and she returned really well. I felt like I didn’t do enough on my service games and I had to step it up because she kept playing really aggressive and taking control. So I’m glad I was able to put it in my hands.”
Azarenka was the aggressor, ripping 27 winners to just 13 from Zhang. The Belarusian also gave herself 13 break point chances, converting on five of them to move through in straight sets.
“Last year, I was a little slow,” Azarenka said. “This year is definitely a different year. I’m glad I keep improving my speed; it’s so important in today’s tennis to be prepared physically so I’m really working on that. I’m glad that all the work off court is paying off on the court.”
Up next for Azarenka is 26th seeded Samantha Stosur. The Australian hung on to oust American Christina McHale 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 on Monday.
U.S. Open finalist Roberta Vinci knocked off 17th seed Elina Svitolina 6-1, 6-3 on Monday, booking her spot in the fourth-round where she will play Magdalena Rybarikova. The Slovak upset seventh-seeded Swiss Belinda Bencic 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on Monday.
Karolina Pliskova routed 14th seed Ana Ivanovic 6-2, 6-0, needing less than 50 minutes to do so. The 18th seeded Czech will take on 25th seed Johanna Konta of Great Britain who defeated Denisa Allertova 6-4, 6-1.
The other fourth-round contest set up on Monday will see Darya Kasatkina face off with 12th seed Timea Bacsinszky.
