MINSK, 22 June (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number 14 Victoria Azarenka, former world number one, defeated fellow Belarusian Yuliya Hatouka, ranked 271, 7-5, 6-0 in the first round of Bad Homburg Open, BelTA has learned.
The match lasted for an hour and 19 minutes.
Victoria Azarenka will next face France’s world number 56 Alize Cornet who beat world number 84 Arantxa Rus of the Netherlands, 6-3, 2-6, 6-1 in the opener.
Yuliya Hatouka of Belarus reached the main draw outlasting world number 516 Kimberley Zimmermann of Belgium 6-3, 6-3 in the qualifying.
Aryna Sabalenka is to open the Eastborne International against world number 71 Bernarda Pera of the United States.
Bad Homburg Open will be over on 26 June. The world’s best tennis players will then travel to London for the Wimbledon which is due to kick off on 28 June.