Former World No.1, Victoria Azarenka continued her resurgence following injury by reaching the Last 16 at Roland Garros with victory over Madison Keys on Court Phillipe Chatrier on Friday afternoon.
Speaking following her 6-2, 6-2 win, she was glad to get some court time continuously after injury but also sustain her level.
"I thought I played really solid," Azarenka said, following her win over Keys. "I felt I played very disciplined today. I played smart. I tried to be aggressive. My opponent, Madison, she really likes to dictate the points, so I tried to take that away from her, really step in, and make a lot of different balls so I’m pretty proud I was able to sustain my level."
"I haven’t really had too many matches, so I feel like the first couple matches were really about finding ways to bring my game in the right moment, and I was actually able to do that," she continued.
"I feel like there were moments that there were a lot of momentum shifts, but in the important moments I was really standing, so I think that’s what I’m really happy about."
Last 16 assignment against 'dangerous' Pavlyuchenkova
Azarenka has reached the fourth round for the first time since 2013 and it won't be an all Belarusian task for the 15th seed against Aryna Sabalenka but Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who acted as a spoiler in the clay court dominance this season of the former.
"[Pavlyuchenkova] is a great player, very dangerous player, especially against top players. We know she can bring a very high level, she’s beaten a lot of the top players.
"Just this match before she beat Sabalenka, who has been playing amazing this clay season, so I know she’s a dangerous player. We’ve played a lot, I forget how many times we’ve played, but I think it’ll be an interesting match and I’m looking forward to this challenge."
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Power moves 💥
Into the 3R for the first time since 2015, @vika7 marches on past Madison Keys 6-2, 6-2. The No.15 seed faces Pavlyuchenkova next.
#RolandGarros