On Court 5, Victoria Azarenka took on Barbara Haas. This was the first meeting between the two and it looked like a great match.
Vintage Victoria Azarenka
The 2020 Western & Southern Open champion started off where she left off in the last tournament. In 59 minutes the Belorussian won her match against Barbara Haas. It was simply one way traffic. Azarenka was just rolling in every single game and looked great from the get-go. She looked confident and on a mission to win this match by her terms.
It all began as Azarenka hold her serve and immediately broke the Austrian’s serve. Game number three was more leveled as Haas was dangerously pushing to break back and get on serve. Although, Azarenka fought back and hold her serve for a three love lead.
The Belorussian went on to break her opponents serve once again to gain a commanding lead of four games to love. Azarenka looked sharp and focused. She went on to hold serve once again serving an ace to lead the match five games to love.
Haas finally got on the board after a well fought game but was still trailing. She asked Victoria Azarenka if she could serve off the first set. To answer that question indeed she did serve off the set to take it with a commanding score of 6-1. Her first serve was 96%, she had no double faults, and won two out of six break point opportunities.
Set number two began with Haas holding her serve as well as Azarenka. It looked like the Austrian was going to fight back and force a third set. That changed quick as the Belarusian broke Haas serve twice and took a four to one lead.
Taking Control
The former World No. 1 was once again in control of the match. She just looked great and playing at a high level. She was not making many errors and was playing freely. Azarenka closed the set and match on her serve in just 59 minutes. Her ground strokes were great, her serving was amazing, and her overall game was on point.
With a performance like this she looks like one of the favorites early on in the tournament. She has the momentum of winning the last tournament she recently played. She clearly is motivated and is having fun playing tennis.
She will now face fellow compatriot Aryna Sabalenka. Whoever she faces will have a tough task to stop her high quality tennis that she is performing thus far.
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