New York, Sep 1 : Two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka who has made it to three finals in the US Open, eased into Round 3 at the Flushing Meadows on Thursday with an unbeaten win over Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk.Azarenka The No.26 seed, and the Former world No.1 won 6-2,6-3 to begin Thursday’s match on Court 17 as she was in control and didn’t let it go.
The 88-minute win came in stark contrast to her Round 1 victory over American teenager Ashlyn Krueger, who played on Tuesday.In the match she took a 6-1 4-1 advantage, but she needed to take the win in three sets, 6-1, 4-6 6-1, 4-6, 6-1, 4-6.
Azarenka who also took home the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013, thriving on a hard court that was sunny.While Kostyuk had more wins (23 to 13), she also totaled more errors that were not forced (31 to 15).Still steadfast, Azarenka broke Kostyuk’s serve five times and took six consecutive games , starting with a 4-2 score in the beginning.
Azarenka has made it to the 3rd round for the 13th time in 15 appearances in New York.
In the second quarter of the women’s draw that also included Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Emma Raducanu, and Elena Rybakina at the time the draw was first announced, Azarenka is the only major winner left.
Her next opponent is the No.#4 seed Paula Badosa, who faces Petra Martic later on Thursday.
Additionally in this part of the draw is Former world No.1 Karolina Pliskova who was the 2016 US Open finalist and No.22 seed; No.19 seed Danielle Collins, the reigning Australian Open finalist; and No.6 seed Aryna Sabalenka, the 19th seed.Also in the mix will be Alize Cornet, a veteran Frenchwoman who is in her record-breaking 64th Grand Slam main draw and beat Raducanu in Round 1.
BSK
