Victoria Azarenka came out on top of a hard-hitting battle against Monica Puig in the second round of the Miami Open, 6-2, 6-4.
Azarenka Starts Fast, Takes Big First Set Lead
Victoria Azarenka and Monica Puig were set to face-off for the first time as the last match on the Stadium Court on Friday. The Belarusian was the first to strike as she broke her Puerto Rican opponent in the second game. Azarenka applied extreme depth on her ground strokes and wrong-footed Puig by changing the direction of the ball. This tactic resulted in several winners for last week’s BNP Paribas Open champion. The intensity was displayed from both sides of the net and feisty "C’mon"s were screamed after the majority of the points. The 13th seed vaulted herself up to a dominant first set lead, 5-0.
Puig was desperate to get on the board. She pumped herself up to win her first game of the match and forced Azarenka to serve for the opening set. Puig would steal one of the two breaks back. The Miami crowd favored the young Puerto Rican and tried to fire her up with loud, encouraging support. The 22-year-old’s serve was ineffective though as Azarenka dictated the last game of the set. The world number eight raced to a quick 0-40 lead and capped off an impressive opening set with a backhand cross-court winner.
In-Form Azarenka Edges Second Set
The first game looked comfortable in Azarenka’s favor as she tallied her fourth service hold of the match. The 2014 Internationaux de Strasbourg champion was in danger early, down a break point. Puig, the feisty rising star, withheld the tough game and leveled the match at one game apiece. Azarenka comfortably held then broke after three straight double faults from Puig. The 22-year-old would stay within reach of the match by crushing a forehand down the line, earning her the break back.
The two-time Australian Open champion would answer, keeping up her powerful play with yet another swinging volley put-away. The match remained on serve at 4-3 with the level of intensity rising. The Puerto Rican denied Azarenka the chance to serve for the match with a strong hold, leveling the match at four games all. The pressure was applied to the 13th seed on her serve, but Azarenka stayed steady. She moved forward and reversed the nerves onto Puig. Puig would then have to serve to keep her Miami Open hopes alive. A forehand long from Puig would give Azarenka a love break and the match.
What Is Next?
The 6-2, 6-4 victory from the Belarusian sets up a third round clash against Polish qualifier Magda Linette on Sunday. Their match will mark the beginning of their head-to-head series. Azarenka leads Linette by just over 100 ranking spots. The recently dominant 13th seed will seek to extend her seven-match winning streak on Day 7 of the 2016 Miami Open.
