Victoria AZARENKA battles past Peyton STEARNS in Miami Open thriller and advances to third round
WTAFriday, 22 March 2024 at 04:46
Victoria
Azarenka (No. 32) secured a hard-fought victory against Peyton Stearns (No. 67)
by 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to advance to the third round of the Miami Open. The
Belarusian, a three-time champion of the tournament in 2009, 2011, and 2016,
boasts 152 wins in WTA 1000 events on hardcourt, ranking third in history,
behind only Agnieszka Radwańska (156) and Caroline Wozniacki (153).
Azarenka
started strong, taking an early lead with a quick break in the second game and
then going up 3-0 in just 10 minutes. However, the American fought back, played
solid service games, and broke back to level at 3-3.
Stearns
grabbed a break and led 5-4 with the chance to serve out the set, but the
2-time Grand Slam champion mounted a comeback, winning the next three games,
including two consecutive breaks, to take the first set 7-5.
The second
set unfolded similarly, with breaks on both sides giving the 22-year-old player
a 3-1 advantage. Both players showed improvements in their serves, although
Stearns was nearly flawless with a 76% first serve percentage and winning 69%
of them, facing only one break point against her during the set. The early
advantage proved enough for her to maintain her lead and win the set 6-3.
The third
set was filled with tension, and Stearns started comfortably with a 2-0 lead,
buoyed by the support of the local crowd. However, she couldn't sustain her
level for the remainder of the set. Azarenka gradually showed greater precision
in the exchanges, particularly dominating from the backhand side, and won the
next four games in a row.
Stearns
displayed physical discomfort and, after holding her serve with the score at
3-4, called for a medical timeout, which didn't prevent her from quickly
breaking back to level at 4-4. However, the Belarusian clinched the last two
games, despite Stearns saving 5 break points against her. Eventually, Azarenka
closed out the match 7-5, 3-6, 6-4.
In the
third round, Azarenka will face the 21-year-old rising star Qinwen Zheng, who
recently reached the final of the Australian Open and advanced after Katerina
Siniakova retired during the third set of their match.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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