WHAT HAPPENED: Two-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka turned back the clock and tore past compatriot Aryna Sabalenka, 6-1, 6-3, to book her place in the US Open third round for the first time since 2015. It was a dominant performance from start to finish from the unseeded World No. 27, who took advantage early miscues from Sabalenka to open up a big lead and never took her foot off the accelerator.
Sabalenka, who defeated Azarenka in three sets in a first-round meeting at last year's US Open, played a significant role in her own demise. Through four games she had already committed 14 errors and finished the lopsided opening set with 17 unforced errors against just three winners.
"Last year she won, today I had to play better," Azarenka said on court after the match. "I knew how dangerous she is."
After falling behind 3-0 in the second set, Sabalenka attempted to mount a push. She broke back for 2-3, but Azarenka, who converted all five break points she faced on the evening, answered right back. She broke for 4-2, held for 5-2, and after a Sabalenka hold—just her third of the match—Azarenka served out the contest confidently to finish the win in one hour and six minutes.
WHAT IT MEANS: Azarenka, last week's champion at the Western and Southern Open, rolls into her seventh consecutive victory and sets herself up for a deep run at the US Open. She'll face the winner of the second-round match between American Sachia Vickery and Poland's Iga Swiatek, which was suspended due to rain on Thursday night with Vickery leading by a set.
No matter which player comes through to face Azarenka, the Belarusian will like her chances given the rich vein of form she finds herself in. With each passing victory she looks more like the player that was a threat to win every Grand Slam she played a half decade ago.
"Confidence comes before you win," she said. "If you really believe in yourself and believe in your work—you're confident. The result is a confirmation of your hard work."
MATCH POINT: Azarenka snaps a streak of six consecutive losses against the Top 20 at Grand Slams. Her victory over No. 11-ranked Sabalenka is her best win at a major by ranking since she defeated Angelique Kerber in the third round at the 2015 US Open.
