Former world number on Victoria Azarenka doesn't make things easy on herself does she. In facing talented Belgian Yanina Wickmayer, the Belarusian fell behind in the opening set, only for her to end up winning in straight sets 7-5. 6-4. 

Azarenka falls behind but mounts the comeback

In the opening service game, Azarenka was serving but fell behind 30-40. The former top player in the world would give up the break as Wickmayer was hitting some absolutely bruising backhands to get the break and would consolidate for 2-0. 

It was a major question if Wickmayer could keep up the strong serving for the rest of the set to see if she could take the opener to ratchet up the pressure on the Azarenka. That question was answered in the eighth game as the Belarusian leveled for four-all thanks to a combination of brilliant backhands and opposition errors, but that was what was needed to turn the match around. 

It didn't take long for Wickmayer to remember she had some game too. A devastating return winner earned the break back to give the chance to grab the opening set. Azarenka gave the Belgian a bit of her own medicine breaking with a return winner of her own as that was three consecutive games with a break. 

The two-time US Open runner-up found a way to hold and then broke once again to take the opening set 7-5. 

Straight sets win for Azarenka

The second set did not see much action until late except the third game. Azarenka fell behind 0-40 and somehow saved five break point opportunities in the game to keep her ahead on serve. 

The match remained on serve until the eighth game when Azarenka finally took her chance and converted. The Belarusian went ahead 0-40 this time. However, Wickmayer couldn't save every opportunity as the former world number one had the shot to serve for the match. 

Despite serving for the match, Wickmayer broke at 30 to bring the match back on serve. She could not hold her serve to extend the match though as it was a straight sets win for Azarenka, 7-5, 6-4. She will face 11th-seeded Angelique Kerber in the third round. 

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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.