Staying power: Victoria Azarenka surpasses Kuznetsova to 12th in most Women's Singles Grand Slam wins in Open Era

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Thursday, 06 July 2023 at 18:00
Azarenka Victoria Wimbledon2018v2

Victoria Azarenka has surpassed Svetlana Kuznetsova as she moves up to 12th in the list of most Women's Singles Grand Slam wins in the Open Era.

Following her victory against Nadia Podoroska in her second-round match at Wimbledon, Azarenka has edged slightly closer to the top ten, moving up to 12th in the rankings for most Women's Singles Grand Slam wins.

The Belarussian player defeated the Argentinian in straight sets - 6-3, 6-0 - to move on to the next round, bringing her total number of Grand Slam match wins up to 155.

This is the first year since 2021 that Azarenka has been able to play at the SW19, as Russian and Belarussian players were banned from the tournament last year as a consequence of the Russia-Ukraine war. However, the ban was lifted for 2023, meaning Azarenka and her compatriots such as Aryna Sabalenka are able to return to the grasscourt major.

A strong career

This new achievement is a demonstration of the former world No. 1's illustrious professional career. Azarenka has two Grand Slam singles titles to her name - two consecutive wins at the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013. She has also reached three US Open finals, in 2012, 2013 and 2020.

Overall, she has 21 WTA titles and, being currently ranked at No. 20 in the world rankings, is still winning plenty of matches.

Overtakes Kuznetsova

The 33-year-old's recent victory means that she surpasses the former world No. 2 Svetlana Kuznetsova, pushing her into 13th place on the list.

The 38-year-old Russian last played in 2021, when she lost in the first round at Wimbledon to qualifier Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove. She has since been on a hiatus, with many assuming she is now retired.

The two women faced each other in the opening round of the 2021 French Open, which Azarenka won 6-4, 2-6, 6-3, another victory to add to her total.

Azarenka is seeded 19th at Wimbledon this year and will face 11th seed Daria Kasatkina in her third-round match on Friday, July 7.

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