Victoria Azarenka, the former top-ranked player, demonstrated her skills on the grass court in Berlin as she secured a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win against qualifier Zeynep Sonmez. Despite the disruption caused by rain, Azarenka’s performance remained strong throughout the match.
Ranked 19th in the world, Azarenka showcased her exceptional ability to break her opponent’s serve, achieving this feat an impressive five times during the match. Equally remarkable was her resilience in defending against five break points, proving to be a formidable force on the court.
This encounter marked the first time that Azarenka had faced Sonmez, a talented 22-year-old from Turkey. Sonmez had previously sprung a surprise, securing her first tour-level victory against Arantxa Rus just two days earlier. Nonetheless, Azarenka’s experience and skill set proved too much for her adversary to handle.
Azarenka, hailing from Belarus, has been a consistent performer in Berlin, having reached the semifinals in 2021. However, success on grass has eluded her so far, as she has never claimed a title on this surface. In the quarterfinals, Azarenka will face a tough challenge, with either Elena Rybakina or Veronika Kudermetova awaiting her.
Unfortunately, the rain played spoilsport for other top-ranked players. Third-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and defending Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova had their second-round matches postponed. Sabalenka was scheduled to face Daria Kasatkina, while Vondrousova would have played against Anhelina Kalinina. Both matches have now been rescheduled for Thursday, adding to the anticipation of thrilling match-ups in Berlin.