Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Champion Azarenka into second round in Melbourne
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - World number one Victoria Azarenka got her Australian Open title defence underway with an unconvincing 6-1 6-4 victory over Romania's Monica Niculescu on Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday.
The Belarusian did well to battle back to secure victory without going to a third set after going 3-0 down in the second, but the way her first serve fell apart at times will only encourage her main rivals for the crown.
Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a return to Monica Niculescu of Romania during their women's singles match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 15, 2013. REUTERS/Toby MelvilleSecond seed Maria Sharapova got her campaign off to a blistering start without losing a game on Monday and third seed Serena Williams followed suit with a similarly convincing win despite a tumble on Hisense Arena on Tuesday.
Azarenka will perhaps reassure herself that she will be more battle-hardened after her 87-minute win over Niculescu as she prepares for a second-round tie against Eleni Daniilidou or Karolina Pliskova.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney, editing by Peter Rutherford)
- Chong Wei misses the days top players bring out the best in him
- World No. 1 hopes Daren and Wei Feng will step up their game
- South African to stay on as coach after a meeting with Khairy
- Brutal golf course dooms US Open hopefuls in final round
- Kisona stays focused ahead of Asian Junior Championships
- Queen’s title will boost Wimbledon bid, says Andy Murray
- Malaysia target 30 golds at ASG
- Spurs on brink of another NBA title
- Nabil: Fitness is now my priority as the races are getting longer
- SRAM must take steps to halt men’s team severe lack of depth
- Wimbledon holds no fear for Radwanska any more
- Costa retains Tour of Switzerland crown
- McIlroy loses his cool and takes it out on club
- Hafizh confident of podium finish in Albacete
- Thai ‘Coconut’ ready to roll after rigorous fitness regime
- Kisona stays focused ahead of Asian Junior Championships
- Rachel and Vanessa heading for a collision course in Jordan
- Aussie confident his Day will come at a Major
- Justin Rose out-duels Mickelson to capture US Open title
- Spurs on brink of another NBA title
RSS
