Victoria Azarenka has continued her trait as being one of the most dominant players on the WTA Tour at the moment with a 6-3, 6-2, win over France’s Alize Cornet.
The world No.5 comes into Madrid, her first clay court tournament of the year, with back-to-back titles from the American hard court swing in Miami and Indian Wells. Playing against Cornet, Azarenka at times struggled with her serve as she produced six double faults. Fortunately for the Belorussian, she compensated her at times erratic serving by fending off 7/8 break points.
The biggest factor in the encounter between the two was Azarenka’s ability to take advantage of Cornet’s fragile second serve. The 26-year-old won 18 out of Cornet’s 24 second service points. Since returning to action at the Miami Open after being sidelined with a back injury, Cornet has only won two matches on the tour.
The second round win has extended Azarenka’s 100% winning record against the world No.48 to five consecutive matches. This week the world No.5 is hoping to clinch her second WTA title on the clay and her first since the 2011 Marbella Open.
In the last sixteen, Azarenka will play either Ana Ivanovic or Louisa Chirico.
Daria Gavrilova’s maiden appearance at the Madrid Open is starting to be one to remember after she defeated 12th seed Elina Svitolina 6-2, 7-6(4), to progress to the third round. The match was from from plain sailing for the Australian, who was broken four times during the match (twice in each set).
Next up for Gavrilova will be defending champion Petra Kvitova. The Czech charged into the third round after dismissing Alize Cornet in straight sets. At this year’s Australian Open Gavrilova stunned the Czech in the second round.
Sloane Stephens was another seed to exit the tournament after suffering a shock loss to world No.134 Patricia Maria Țig. Stephens, who recently won her first title on clay in Charleston, won only 27% of her return points during the 6-2, 6-3, loss.
There was some consolation for American tennis fans after Madison Keys defeated Angelique Kerber’s first round conqueror, Barbora Strýcová, in straight sets (6-3, 6-3).
