"Definitely challenging" - Victoria Azarenka manages the quick turnaround
Just four days after the US Open final, Victoria Azarenka was back on the field - and prevailed against Venus Williams in the first round of the WTA Premier 5 event in Rome.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Sep 16, 2020, 11:34 pm
6,889. This is exactly how many kilometers as the crow flies are between New York City and Rome. The majority of the semi-finalists at the US Open had given up on a trip to the Italian capital in view of the stressful travel conditions - only Pablo Carreno Busta and Victoria Azarenka made their way to the "Eternal City".
While Carreno Busta had no chance in the defeat against Rafael Nadal , Azarenka seamlessly continued her strong performances in the USA and asserted himself against a strong playing Venus Williams 7: 6 (7) and 6: 2. "I knew it wasn't going to be easy and that I wasn't going to play the perfect game, but it was about finding the right attitude. That worked okay," said the Belarrus after the match.
"Think I've adapted very well"
In particular, the change from hard court to sand was not easy for her: "The different surfaces are definitely challenging." The way in which she had adjusted to the new terrain made Azarenka more than satisfied: "I think that I have adapted very well."
"I had to find solutions in the first match on clay. That was great," said the two-time Grand Slam winner, who saved a set ball in the tie-break of the first round, in the press conference after the match. "I'm pretty happy."
Azarenka now against Kenin
With the win against the American, Azarenka achieved the quick turnaround after the exhausting US Open, in which she was only defeated in the final to Naomi Osaka. The tasks in the Foro Italico are not getting any easier now - Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin is waiting for the Belarusian in the second round.
"We know each other very well. She's a great player and has played phenomenally so far this year," said the 31-year-old as the favorite of her upcoming opponent - but not without making a little challenge: "I've got it Given the opportunity to return the favor. " A year ago, Kenin won the only duel between the two in Acapulco in three tight sets.