Three-time US Open finalist Azarenka secures round three in New York

Victoria Azarenka faced an in-form Marta Kostyuk and smashed her easily to move on to round three of the US Open 6-2 6-3.

Azarenka played in the final of this event three times but never went all the way leaving the Australian Open as the only grand slam she ever won. The Belarussian faced Marta Kostyuk in the second round and it was quite the match.

Kostyuk recently blasted Azarenka for signing up for the Ukraine charity event in New York after which Azarenka was removed. It was never known whether she pulled out or whether the USTA removed her. Azarenka was the subject of several public call-outs by Kostyul as Belarus is supportive of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The match itself featured little fire from Kostyuke as she was mostly smashed by Azarenka from start to finish. Kostyuk was aggressive but missed quite a bit and allowed Azarenka to counterpunch the way she likes to do it.

Azarenka had some issues closing out the match but nothing major as she was able to do it in her second try 6-3. Overall a very strong performance from Azarenka who moves on to the next round. Kostyuk had much to say about her opponent but nothing on the court.