In the first set, neither broke the other’s serve, resulting in a tie-break; Vika took the lead 5:1 initially but then made several mistakes, losing 5:7 and the whole set. Some would have surrendered after such a turn of events but Azarenko is a true fighter. She won the second set (6:3) but lost three match points in the third, resulting in a score of 6:5.
Ms. Williams has now qualified for the tournament’s quarterfinal, while Ms. Azarenko has left Madrid. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Vika is back on form and should soon be back in her rightful place, among the top-10. She boasts the character of a champion.
Victoria Azarenko lost to Serena Williams by just one point (112-113), showing her readiness, and for the coming clay court season in particular. Serena admitted that Vika ‘has returned to her former level’. Speaking at the after-match press conference, she added, “It’s nice to see a champion like Vika playing so well. I’ve always supported her in her matches. What she’s doing in order to return really deserves respect.”
By Yegor Glebov