After a fierce comeback at the US Open series last year, former world number one Victoria Azarenka couldn’t re-create the magic in the first-half of 2021. Even though there were commendable victories, the Belarusian had to withdraw from a couple of tournaments owing to injuries.

However, Azarenka made a solid start to her French Open campaign this year. Having reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2013, the Belarusian couldn’t perform to her expectations since then on the red-dirt.

Watch this story: Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Venus Williams, and others’ altercation with the chair umpire at French Open 2021

Victoria Azarenka praises Rafael Nadal for his dominance at French Open

But, in her third-round match against Madison Keys this year, Azarenka displayed total dominance from the baseline and overcame the American in straight sets.

Along with tennis, the Belarusian gives regular updates to fans through social media. Be it her getting the COVID-19 vaccine or posting her son Leo’s pictures, Azarenka constantly engages with her admirers.

Recently, she wrote a tweet about the 13-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal. Nadal, who is playing against Cameron Norrie, is having a phenomenal campaign in Paris so far. Praising the Spaniard’s dominance on Court Philippe Chatrier, the Belarusian wrote:

“Watching Rafa play at Roland Garros to me is like watching your favorite movie… you enjoy it a lot but you kinda already know what is going to happen.” 

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This is a perfect description of Rafael Nadal on the Parisian clay. Irrespective of the opponent, the Spaniard keeps winning back-to-back matches at Roland Garros. He stood alongside Roger Federer in recording the highest number of victories at a grand slam. Nadal has a current record of 102-2 at French Open.

Coming back to Victoria Azarenka, she played to the expectations of the fans so far on the Parisian clay. In the pre-quarters, Azarenka will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a Russian player who made it to the fourth round in Paris for the first time since 2009.

The Belarusian enjoys a comfortable 2-0 lead over Pavlyuchenkova on the red dirt. Azarenka enters the match as a huge favorite.

Also read: “Quite Disastrous”: Victoria Azarenka on Rain Troubles at French Open 2021 Following Her Victory Over Madison Keys