Former world number 30 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova scored her second win over a Grand Slam champion in as many matches in Paris with a 6-2 6-2 win over Victoria Azarenka in 1 hour and 42 minutes to reach the third round at Grand Slam level for the third time in her career and for the second time in Paris.
Schmiedlova earned an early break in the first game of the opening set. Azarenka saved four break points and held her serve in the fifth game for 2-3. Schmiedlova broke for the second time in the seventh game at deuce and served out on her first set point to win the first set 6-2.
Schmiedlova needed a medical timeout to treat an injury on her knee in the third game. Azarenka held her serve after the match resumed. Schmiedlova saved two break points to draw level to 2-2 and earned two consecutive breaks in the fifth and seventh games to earn her chance to serve for the match. Schmiedlova served out at deuce after saving a break point.
Schmiedlova set up a third round match against World number 131 Nadia Podoroska from Argentina.
Schmiedlova reached the third round at Roland Garros in 2014 and at the US Open in 2015.
“I am extremely happy because it’s my favourite Grand Slam and favourite tournament of the year. I always play good here. I had many chances in the last couple of years. I had match points or really close matches. I just did not close it”, said Schmiedlova.
