Italian Open LIVE: World No.1 Iga Swiatek is eyeing her 25th successive victory in 2022 as she takes on former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka in the third round of the Italian Open on Thursday (12 May). While Swiatek enters the contest after straight set victory over Elena-Gabriela Ruse, 16th seed Azarenka defeated Camila Osorio 6-2, 6-4 in the second round. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates.
Italian Open LIVE: Iga Swiatek defeats Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to clinch 25th straight win this year
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Rome, Round of 16
d. Azarenka, 6-4, 6-1 pic.twitter.com/2QuKHvlVrH
— wta (@WTA) May 12, 2022
Despite the scoreline suggesting an easy victory for Swiatek, it was actually not an easy one as the 20-year-old needed 79 minutes to complete a comeback from a double-break, at 0-3, in the opening set. Azarenka held at least one break point in each of Swiatek’s service games in the opener, generating a total of 11 break points.
Swiatek however came through and took a 4-3 lead. Despite the setback, Azarenka continued to show strong fight . With Swiatek serving for the set at 5-3, the former No.1 wiped out four set points and broke to get back on serve. But she couldn’t do much as Swiatek won the first set.
Swiatek continued to dominate on return through the second set, breaking Azarenka four more times to close the match and book her spot in a fifth straight quarterfinal. With the win, Swiatek took 2-1 lead against Azarenka in the Head-to-Head record.
Italian Open LIVE: Iga Swiatek defeats Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to clinch 25th straight win this year