Azarenka is seeded 14th but on current form is shaping as Serena Williams’ biggest challenger at Melbourne Park. Nicknamed “Vika” and renowned in the past for fiery on-court outbursts, Azarenka won the tournament in 2012 and defended the following year at what is her most successful Grand Slam.
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Victoria Azarenka said she was modelling her improved footwork on Novak Djokovic after beginning her quest for a third Australian Open title with a 6-0 6-0 drubbing of Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck on Tuesday. In her two matches thus far, she’s been completely dominant, winning both in straight sets and losing only three total games in the process.
“We happen to have the same agent, so I just wanted to make my agent smile at first”, Azarenka said about Newton.
She is in serious form – having also won the Brisbane International earlier this month. “Really that’s what I’m looking for, to keep applying the same effort, and pay attention to details in preparation before the match”. “Stay in the moment and enjoy”.
“I’m feeling in the best shape body-wise, spirit-wise, everything-wise”, said the 27-year-old Belarussian, who has talked about her perspectives on life and tennis maturing.
Victoria Azarenka and Danka Kovinic meet Wednesday in the second round of the 2016 Australian Open.
“Kirsten is a very hard opponent”.
“No, not pressure-it just means a lot to me, to be through”, said Ivanovic.
Muguruza is yet to drop a set in the tournament and next faces world No. 48 Barbora Strycova.
“I felt really bad”.
Osaka was joined in the upset circle by German Annika Beck who eased past No. 11 Timea Bacsinszky 6-2, 6-3, German Laura Siegemund who shocked No. 19 seed Jelena Jankovic 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, and Czech Denisa Allertova who outlasted No. 30 seed Sabine Lisicki 6-3, 2-6, 6-4.
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Former world number one Ana Ivanovic cruised into the second round with a 6-2, 6-3 win over Australia’s Tammi Patterson.
