WHAT HAPPENED: No. 18 seed Victoria Azarenka kicked off her 16th US Open campaign in convincing fashion with a straight-sets win against wildcard Fiona Ferro in Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Despite the 2023 Australian Open semifinalist wrapping up her first-round match in just over an hour, the 6-1, 6-2 win was a lot more physical, particularly in the first set, than the scoreline provided.
In their first meeting, both women were feeling each other’s games out, each breaking serve in their first service games in the first set. After that, Azarenka didn’t look back, subsequently breaking every one of Ferro’s service games until late in the second set. Despite Azarenka’s dominance, the 27-year-old Frenchwoman managed to push her opponent in every one of her service games with long rallies, hanging in games point for point and breaking serve twice, one game in each set.
Ferro arrived in New York with a load of confidence after making the WTA 125 final in Barranquilla on Aug. 19, and that state of mind was on display early. She used the court well, adding variety midway through the first set with some drop shots and coming into the net. She also displayed glimpses of her power, spreading the court in multiple attempts to get ahead of the two-time Australian Open champion. But in the end Azarenka’s power, focus, and experience were too much for Ferro.
WHAT IT MEANS: This is a good section of the draw for Azarenka as she bids for her first US Open title. The three-time runner-up will face either Zhu Lin or Mayar Sherif in the second round and could potentially set up a Round 3 matchup with No. 15 seed Belinda Bencic.
MATCH POINT: Azarenka is making her 16th US Open appearance, putting her third for the most appearances of any player currently in this year’s draw behind Venus Williams (24) and Alizé Cornet (17). She is also one of 10 moms participating in this year's draw.
