Azarenka knocks out third-seeded Kenin with shutout win at WTA meet in Rome
Gianni Infantino.
VICTORIA Azarenka continued her impressive form from the US Open by claiming a one-sided 6-0, 6-0 shutout victory on Thursday at the WTA Premier event in Rome against third-seeded Sofia Kenin of the United States.
Fifth seed Kiki Bertens of the Netherlands is out after a 6-4, 6-4 defeat to Slovenia’s Polona Hercog, who progresses to face Czech Marketa Vondrousova after a 6-3, 6-3, success against another Dutchwoman, Arantxa Rus.
In the men’s Masters 1000 event, Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic will meet defending champion Rafael Nadal in round three after he conquered Canada’s Milos Raonic 7-6 (7-3), 4-6, 6-2. Another Canadian in Denis Shapovalov progressed though as the 21-year-old dispatched Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez 6-4, 6-4 to set up a meeting with Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who beat Italian Fabio
Fognini 7-5, 7-6 (7-4).
The 31-year-old Azarenka reached the final in New York on Saturday, her first grand slam showpiece since 2013, before she lost to Japan’s Naomi Osaka. Azarenka dominated Kenin in the rallies to not drop a game in 61 minutes, which was capped with a double-fault from her opponent.
The former world number one will now face Russian Daria Kasatkina after she triumphed 6-2, 6-3 against
Czech Katerina Siniakova. Earlier, Garbine Muguruza made it through to the last 16 following the Spaniard’s 7-6 (7-3), 3-6, 6-3 win against 16-year-old US player Coco Gauff. Even Muguruza had a nervous start as she conceded a 3-1 lead with a double fault in the first set, but the 2016 French Open champion rallied to break back immediately and eventually forced a tie-break.
The world number 17 then reeled off four straight points to edge a hard-fought first frame. Gauff raced through the second set but the teenager dropped serve in the third to trail 4-2. A netted return after another error-strewn service game at 5-3 handed Muguruza the match after 2 hours 27 minutes.
Muguruza will play Johanna Konta next after the Briton swept aside Romania’s IrinaCamelia Begu 6-0, 6-4. “We have never played on clay, I don’t think,” Konta said of her upcoming contest with Muguruza.
“We have had plenty of battles. Hopefully tomorrow will be another great battle. She’s definitely played some very, very good tennis this year. That’s the Garbine I’m expecting to play.” Also in the women’s tournament, another Russian in Svetlana Kuznetsova progressed to Friday’s third round.
The two-time grand slam champion battled back from a set behind to overcome Estonia’s Anett Kontaveit 4-6, 7-5, 6-3.