Press releases

19 Aug 2021

Azarenka moves to Cincinnati 2021 third round

Photo: Getty Images

MINSK, 19 August (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number 15 Victoria Azarenka has notched a second-round win against world number 37 Alison Riske of the United States, 6-2, 7-5, at the ongoing 2021 Western & Southern Open, BelTA has learned.

The Belarusian saw off Russia’s world number 52 Liudmila Samsonova, 6-2, 6-3, in the opener.

Victoria Azarenka will next face world number one Ashleigh Barty of Australia for a spot in the quarterfinal.

Belarus’ world number 3 Aryna Sabalenka lost to Spain’s world number 31 Paula Badosa Gibert 7-5, 2-6, 6-7 (4-7) in the event’s opener.

In the doubles round of Last 16 Belarus’ Aliaksandra Sasnovich and Russia’s Anna Blinkova solved Belgium's Elise Mertens and Hsieh Su-wei of Taipei, 7-5, 5-7, 10-5.

Seeking a spot in the quarterfinal Victoria Azarenka paired with Jessica Pegula of the United States lost to Brazil-Canada tandem Luisa Stefani and Gabriela Dabrowski 4-6, 6-4, 7-10.

The tournament in Cincinnati will be over on 22 August. The event serves as an important rehearsal before the season’s final Grand Slam tournament – US Open, which is due to take place in New York on 30 August-11 September.