Jan 19, 2015
Unseeded Azarenka beats Stephens for third consecutive year at Australian Open
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback from a foot injury with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over familiar foe Sloane Stephens in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday. Limited to just nine tournaments last year, Azarenka's ranking has fallen to No. 44 and she is unseeded at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2007 U.S. Open.
The Canadian Press
MELBOURNE, Australia - Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback from a foot injury with a convincing 6-3, 6-2 win over familiar foe Sloane Stephens in the first round of the Australian Open on Tuesday.
Limited to just nine tournaments last year, Azarenka's ranking has fallen to No. 44 and she is unseeded at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2007 U.S. Open.
The Belarussian defeated Stephens for the third consecutive year at Melbourne Park. The pair met in the semifinals in 2013, when Azarenka controversially took an extended injury timeout at a critical point late in the match. Azarenka also beat Stephens in the fourth round last year.
Stephens was unseeded at the Australian Open this year, as well.