After her injury-plagued 2014 season, former world number one Victoria Azarenka has had a hard time finding consistency in her game. She's been a hot and cold player since her return. We've seen glimpses of how Azarenka played when she was world number one when she met Serena Williams in Madrid and at the French Open. Despite playing well, the mental aspect of being a top player once again has gotten to the Belarusian as she faltered both times. 

After cruising in her first round matchup against Anett Kontaveit, the Belarusian came out swinging. The 23rd seed fired 11 winners in the opening set as she once again reminded us of her capabilities. However, the one component of her game that has not been the same since her return from injury is the serve.

During her time at number one, the serve was a weapon of Azarenka's as she used it to get her out of trouble often but now she finds herself toying with it rather than relying on it. She only hit 45 percent of her first serves in during the opening set but won 80 percent of those points. She was as efficient on her second serve as Flipkens was on her first. It took a bit of work from Azarenka seeing as she was broken, but she broke three times herself to take the second set 6-3. 

Flipkens broke to start the second and flashbacks of Wimbledon 2013 were appearing before our eyes as the Belgian wowed us with her game predicated on making your opponent move and getting them in peculiar situations. Azarenka saw some of that in the opening game as she was broken to start the second set. Unlike the first set, Azarenka controlled a new aspect, volleying. She dominated the net only dropping two points while taking volleys and hit four volley winners. Flipkens could not conjure up much to threaten the Vika service game other than a break as Azarenka captured two breaks of serve to win 6-3, 6-3 and faces Kristina Mladenovic next. 

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About the author
Noel John Alberto
Filipino-American sports journalist from Toms River, NJ. UMBC Graduate and aspiring physical therapist. Tennis editor and multi-sport coordinator for VAVEL USA. Writer for Manchester United, Real Madrid, and Serie A sections of VAVEL UK. Sports aficionado. Host of the On The Line tennis podcast.