Perfect Birthday for Azarenka as She Reaches Round 2

Belarusian player Victoria Azarenka celebrated her 29th birthday today. She certainly did it in style as she marched into the 2nd round of the WTA Silicon Valley Classic. The former world number 1 is patient in her quest to rediscover her form.

Azarenka was forced to endure a lengthy spell away from the tennis court. She traded it for a court of law because of a prolonged custody battle over her son Leo.

The WTA Silicon Classic is her maiden tournament since losing to Karolina Pliskova in round 2 of Wimbledon. She defeated Kateryna Bondarenko in a tight three-setter before triumphing 6-3, 6-7 (7-9), 7-5 in two hours and 40 minutes.

After the match, she said that it has been a really challenging time for her. She has had to undergo a lot of ups and down with her game but that was part of tennis. But the main thing is that she is on the tennis court and fighting tooth and nail to do her best. Those are the only objectives that she has set for herself, but she admits that nothing will be easy.

She said, “Everyone expects to have results right away – I do too – but I need to be patient, and keep working hard.”

In her upcoming match, Azarenka will be up against top seed Garbine Muguruza and very much the underdog.

In other matches on Monday, American teenager Ashley Kratzer survived a late charge from Alison Riske. Kratzer was leading 5-1 in the third set before Riske fought back to level at 5-5. But in the end, Kratzer won the set 7-5 to advance into the next round.

Meanwhile, Maria Sakkari, Sofia Kenin, Ajla Tomljanovic and Danielle Collins won their respective matches in straight sets. Local favourite and former world number 1, Serena Williams wil be in action later as she faces Johanna Konta in the first round.