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Azarenka moves up
Victoria Azarenka and Garbine Muguruza continued their sizzling form by scorching through the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday, moving a step closer to a potential last 16 showdown.
Melbourne: Victoria Azarenka and Garbine Muguruza continued their sizzling form by scorching through the second round of the Australian Open on Thursday, moving a step closer to a potential last 16 showdown.
Azarenka came to Melbourne Park on the back of a win at the Brisbane warm-up event, her first tournament since last September, and hammered Belgian Alison Van Uytvanck 6-0, 6-0 in the first round.
The 26-year-old was almost as clinical with a 6-1 6-2, 63-minute thrashing of Montenegro's Danka Kovinic on Margaret Court Arena. However, Leyton Hewitt has bid farewell to the Australian Open and to his singles career as a professional tennis player.
The 34-year-old Hewitt had said he would retire at this year's tournament and his last singles match came on Thursday when he lost in the second round to No. 8 David Ferrer 6-2, 6-4, 6-4.
Hewitt, a former U.S. Open and Wimbledon champion who is now ranked 308th, has already been named Australia's Davis Cup captain. He is still in the doubles draw with Australian partner Sam Groth.
Renowned marathon man John Isner needed two tiebreakers before putting away Spaniard Marcel Granollers to reach the third round. The beanpole American 10th seed, who is expected to lead the United States in their Davis Cup tie in Australia in March, won 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 7-6 (7/2) in two hours 20 minutes on Hisense Arena.
Meanwhile, World number two Briton Andy Murray demolished big-serving Australian Sam Groth in straight sets to enter the third round. Murray completely outplayed the holder of the world's fastest serve 6-0, 6-4, 6-1 in one hour 31 minutes and will next play Portugal's Joao Sousa in the third round.
Two years of injury and less than stellar form have left Azarenka languishing at number 16 in the world and that is why she is seeded to meet Muguruza as early the fourth round, if she can get past rising talent Naomi Osaka.
The Belarussian celebrated with the Dab, the "fun", "cool" hip-hop move beloved of NBA All Star LeBron James and a string of NFL players, and said the secret of her hot streak was simply living in the moment.
