ZCZC
BSP-04
TENNIS-AUS-OPEN-AZARENKA
Distressed Azarenka knocked out in Australian Open
MELBOURNE, Feb 9, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – Former world number one Victoria
Azarenka appeared to have breathing difficulties Tuesday as she crashed out
of the Australian Open in a straight-sets loss to Jessica Pegula.
The 12th seed needed two medical timeouts in the second set after looking
distressed and flushed.
Azarenka, who endured a hard hotel quarantine on arrival in Melbourne, used
an inhaler to curb apparent breathing problems but gamely fought on before
succumbing 7-5, 6-4 in one hour and 39 minutes.
“It was tough for her, she wasn’t well but I just focused on myself,” said
American Pegula, ranked 61.
Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 Australian Open champion, had pulled out of the
quarter-finals of the warm-up Grampians Trophy due to a lower-back injury.
She had only played one match since emerging from quarantine, where she was
not allowed to leave her hotel room for 14 days.
Azarenka, 31, showed little rust early as she raced to a 5-2 lead before
spiralling and dropping the next five games.
She then struggled physically to halt her resurgence on the tour.
Last year’s US Open finalist ended 2020 playing some of her best tennis
since becoming a mother in 2016, falling short to Naomi Osaka at Flushing
Meadows.
Pegula will be out to dash local hopes in the second round when she faces
former US Open champion Samantha Stosur or Destanee Aiava.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0957 hrs