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Victoria Azarenka wins again, biggest match since return to tennis

By Harry Floyd

KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 21: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus holds the WTA Race to Singapore lapboard during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 21, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 21: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus holds the WTA Race to Singapore lapboard during the Miami Open Presented by Itau at Crandon Park Tennis Center on March 21, 2018 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Victoria Azarenka has two singles wins under her belt at the 2018 Miami Open. The tennis star earns her biggest win since returning to tennis.

Victoria Azarenka wins her second match at the 2018 Miami Open. A former world No. 1, Azarenka is continuing her return to the WTA Tour since giving birth. Custody disputes involving her son Leo has also kept her away from playing more tournaments in the more recent months. While she has seen some success in the few events that she has played, Azarenka earns what must be considered her biggest win since returning to the sport.

Defeating American tennis star Madison Keys in straight sets, Azarenka continues to advance in Miami. Keys, the current world No. 15 in women’s singles tennis, was forced to retire early in the second set of their match.

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Azarenka comes away with the second round win, going 7-6 (5), 2-0 against the younger American. The former world No. 1 faces Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia next at the Miami Open. Sevastova is the 20th seed at the WTA Tour event this week. Azarenka, still making her return to the sport, remains unseeded in Miami.

Victoria Azarenka is a three-time champion in women’s singles at the Miami Open. Despite the time away from the sport, she is capable of a deep run at the tournament.

Keys, who has become a household name in women’s tennis in the past year, forced Azarenka to a first set tiebreak. It was the Belarusian to come out on top though. Azarenka is a two-time Australian Open champion. At just 28-years-old, she is poised to bounce back anytime now. The 2018 Miami Open could be a turning point for Azarenka.

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Elsewhere in Miami, top seed and world No. 1 Simona Halep defeats Oceane Dodin to advance. Dodin did, however, force Halep to a third set, making her work hard for the victory. The big news earlier in the week was also the upset that Naomi Osaka pulled over American superstar Serena Williams. Like Victoria Azarenka, Williams is also continuing her return since giving birth. Stay tuned to see how the action in women’s singles tennis unfolds throughout the rest of the week at the 2018 Miami Open.

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