Azarenka advances to Miami Open third round

Belarus’ world number 32 Victoria Azarenka fended off world number 67 Peyton Stearns of the United States to advance to the Miami round three, BelTA has learned.

Former No.1 was pushed to the limit before holding her ground to win in three sets, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4. The match lasted for two hours and 47 minutes. The Belarusian will next face China’s world number 7 Qinwen Zheng. Victoria Azarenka is a Miami Open three-time champion (2009, 2011, 2016).

Belarus’ world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka will open her Miami campaign against Spain’s world number 80 Paula Badosa in the second round. In the opener Paula Badosa saw off Romania’s Simona Halep, 1-6, 6-4, 6-3. In 2019 Aryna Sabalenka and Belgium's Elise Mertens won the Miami Open doubles event.

The ongoing tournament in Miami will be over on 31 March.