Published: Thursday January 17, 2013 MYT 10:16:00 AM
Updated: Thursday January 17, 2013 MYT 2:32:27 PM
Top seed Azarenka races into Open third round
MELBOURNE: Defending champion Victoria Azarenka romped into the Australian Open third round Thursday with a comprehensive straight-sets thrashing of Greek Eleni Daniilidou.
The world number one Belarusian lost just one game in the 6-1, 6-0 demolition and will next play either American Jamie Hampton or Thai qualifier Luksika Kumkhum.
The victory keeps top-seeded Azarenka on course to meet former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the quarter-finals as she defends her first Grand Slam title.
Azarenka had only played the Greek once before, five years ago, and lost, but on a scorching hot day on Rod Laver Arena she opened her account with a serve to love then comfortably held, with the signs ominous for Daniilidou.
The Belarusian easily broke again then held for 4-0, with the Greek till then having won just three points in the entire match.
Azarenka's key rivals, Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, have both scored double bagel whitewashes here and Azarenka looked intent on producing her own until Daniilidou finally won a game for 5-1, to big cheers.
But it was only a hiccup for Azarenka, and with her renowned grunting growing in volume and shouts of "c'mon" becoming more regular, the pumped-up top seed raced through the second set in 31 minutes.
While Azarenka is the world's top-ranked player, Sharapova and Williams are breathing down her neck and she needs to reach the final to have any chance of remaining number one. -AFP
Related stories:
Serena, Azarenka romp in Melbourne
Top seed Azarenka 'in the zone'
Serena brushes aside injury to move on
Love matches for leading ladies
Musician Redfoo won't 'kiss and tell' over Azarenka
Tsonga stops Go to reach third round
Murray picks up tips from Thorpe, Lewis
Murray sizzles in Open win over Sousa
Ankle, now fat lip as Serena moves on
- Former world junior champ Zulfadli in main draw
- FedEx eyes record win at Wimbledon
- V Shem-Khim Wah face tough opener in Singapore Open
- NBA: Heat beat Spurs to force game seven
- Brazilian Massa looking ahead to team’s revival
- Revington says he will decide on future after the World League
- Iain steels himself for a good show at Seri Selangor
- MHC: No action against Dharma and Lim
- Direct flight now to Naypyitaw for Malaysian SEA Games squad
- It’s on with the job as players glad it is all over
- Nadal seeded a dangerous fifth for Wimbledon
- Forgotten man Bastl revelling in 'new career'
- Indian GP organisers dismiss race rumours
- Contador has solid support but no Dane in Saxo Tour team
- Murofushi ban due to "overzealous" Japan officials - CAS
- Nadal seeded five at Wimbledon
- South Africa give De Villiers deadline to prove fitness
- Andy Schleck to lead RadioShack-Leopard on the Tour
- Nadal seeded fifth at Wimbledon
- Olazabal wins Spain's most prestigious sports award
RSS
