MINSK, 11 May (BelTA) – Belarus’ world number 17 Victoria Azarenka reached the Italian Open round three after seeing off world number 36 Sloane Stephens of the United States, 6-4, 6-3, in an hour and 40 minutes, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian will next play either world number 23 Madison Keys of the United States or Poland’s world number 94 Magdalena Frech.
Belarus’ world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka will open against world number 134 Sofia Kenin of the United States. Belarus’ world number 44 Aliaksandra Sasnovich defeated Canada’s world number 50 Leylah Fernandez of Canada, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-3, in the opener. The Belarusian will next take on Croatia’s world number 24 Donna Vekic.
The tournament in the Italian capital will be over on 21 May.