INDIAN WELLS:
World number one Victoria Azarenka survived an opening-match scare to beat Mona Barthel 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (8/6) in a three-hour marathon at the Indian Wells tournament.
The 22-year-old Azarenka appeared headed for disaster, trailing 4-1 in the third set but the unseeded German Barthel could not close the deal.
“It was a survival,” said Azarenka. “She had nothing to lose and I wanted to go for my shots but I hesitated.
“My game was not at its best but the most important thing is I won.”
Azarenka arrived in Indian Wells riding a 17-0 match winning streak, which has taken her to the final of her last five tournaments, but had to endure a stiff battle against Barthel. “She was really motivated to beat me and played great.” Azarenka, who claimed her first Grand Slam title in Melbourne, will face Svetlana Kuznetsova in the third round.
Meanwhile, former winner Jelena Jankovic became the first seed to crash out, losing 6-4, 6-3 to world number 99 Jamie Hampton. The 12th-seed Jankovic blamed her loss on fatigue.
“Today I was a shadow of myself,” said Jankovic. “I didn’t feel like I did anything right.”
Reigning French Open champion Li Na came downed Galina Voskoboeva 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 and will face countrywoman Zheng Jie in the third round.
Petra Kvitova beat fellow Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-3, ninth-seed Vera Zvonareva of Russia beat Kimiko Date-Krumm of Japan 6-3, 6-4 and fifth-seed Agnieszka Radwanska cruised past Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-4.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2012.
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