Victoria Azarenka Advances to Fourth Round of Australian Open with Impressive Victory

Victoria Azarenka, the 18th seed at the Australian Open 2024, showcased her unwavering determination as she advanced to the fourth round with a 6-1 7-5 victory over Jelena Ostapenko. Azarenka, known for her love of challenges, expressed how facing difficulties brings out the best in her.

Preparing to discuss sporting mentality with her son Leo, Azarenka stumbled upon a TikTok video that emphasized the importance of acknowledging and confronting pressure. She believes that sharing her emotions and experiences with her son will help him navigate similar challenges.

Azarenka’s match against Ostapenko was a thrilling 83-minute battle between two former Grand Slam champions at Margaret Court Arena. Despite trailing 2-5 in the second set, Azarenka managed to fight back and secure the win. The key to her victory was her ability to handle pressure moments and limit unforced errors.

This triumph marks Azarenka’s 50th win at Melbourne Park, a remarkable milestone achieved only by five other players in the tournament’s history. The names in this elite club include Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Lindsay Davenport, and Martina Hingis, all of whom are former champions.

Azarenka emphasized that she no longer seeks to replicate her past success and is constantly evolving as a player. She focuses on personal growth and improvement, comparing herself only to her previous self.

The Belarusian tennis star also praised the rising level of competition in women’s singles at the Australian Open. Players like Jasmine Paolini, Ocean Dodin, Anna Kalinskaya, Qinwen Zheng, and her upcoming opponent, Dayana Yastremska, have all made it to the fourth round for the first time. Azarenka highlighted the unpredictability and high skill level among these contenders, making them formidable opponents.

Azarenka is determined to avoid an early exit from the tournament and has a 2-1 head-to-head advantage over her next opponent, Dayana Yastremska. With her impressive display of skills and mental strength, Azarenka remains a strong contender in the Australian Open.