French Open 2021: Former World No 1 Victoria Azarenka advances into Round 4 after a gap of 8 years

Former world number one Victoria Azarenka stormed into the fourth round of the French Open with an easy 6-2, 6-2 victory against Madison Keys on Friday. The last time Azarenka reached the pre-quarterfinals for the first time since 2013.

“Right from the beginning I knew there would be a lot of intensity, heavy balls. I tried to be solid and put pressure on her so she cannot dictate the points,” the 15th seed said in a courtside interview.

Azarenka broke for 3-2 on her third opportunity as Keys hit a backhand long and a passing shot winner earned her another break before she bagged the opening set on serve.

She stole her opponent’s serve twice again in the second set, keeping Keys on the back foot throughout.

The Belarusian, who reached a career-best semifinal at Roland Garros eight years ago, was a doubt for the claycourt Grand Slam after withdrawing from the Madrid Open last month with back pain, but she has been solid so far.

With the top three seeds out after Ash Barty retired injured, Naomi Osaka withdrew and Aryna Sabalenka lost on Friday, the women’s draw is now wide open. Top-ranked Ash Barty retired from her second-round match. No. 2 Naomi Osaka withdrew after the first round, saying she is going to take a break from the competition for mental health reasons. Third seed Aryna Sabalenka crashed out with a 4-6 6-2 0-6 third-round defeat to Russian 31st seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.

Azarenka next faces Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who sent packing third seed Sabalenka of Belarus earlier.