Konjuh cuts short Azarenka comeback

Published by Matt Trollope

Eye on the ball: Ana Konjuh was in sharp touch against Victoria Azarenka, allowing the former world No.1 just four games in a second-round rout in Mallorca; Getty Images
Big-hitting Croatian teen smacked comeback queen Victoria Azarenka off the court in Mallorca on Thursday for the loss of just four games.

Ana Konjuh has ended Victoria Azarenka’s comeback tournament at the second hurdle.

The 19-year-old played relentlessly powerful tennis to oust Azarenka 6-1 6-3 in just 71 minutes and advance to the quarterfinals of the WTA Mallorca Open.

“I know Azarenka is coming back, but it’s always tough to play against her,” Konjuh said. “She’s one of the best players in the world. I was motivated for sure, and I’m really glad that I could play so well today and win.”

Azarenka was returning to the circuit after a 13-month absence, during which she gave birth to her first child.

RELATED: Azarenka survives in comeback match

She’s saved three match points in a marathon opening-round encounter against Risa Ozaki in the previous round yet was no match for the Croatian on Thursday.

Konjuh started exquisitely, winning the first nine points of the match – many of them with winners. She quickly opened up a 5-0 lead.

And as brilliant as she was, Azarenka was just as rusty, frequently framing her shots, sending a forehand long to drop the first set, and double faulting to go down a break in the second.

Down 6-1 4-1, Azarenka briefly rallied, yet Konjuh was simply too powerful and accurate, snuffing out any hopes of a recovery with a forehand winner on match point.

She’ll next face second seed Anastasija Sevastova, who got past Varvara Lepchenko in three sets.

Another winning on Thursday in Mallorca was Roberta Vinci, who saw off fellow veteran and dangerous grasscourter Kirsten Flipkens 6-4 5-7 6-2.

Share this: 
  • Most popular articles

23 February 2016

The history of the most common words in tennis

Tennis is a funny old game. People love you one minute and then want to drop you the next;... More

1 June 2016

Power playing: Make your muscle matter

Comparing tennis today to the game of the past is like comparing a boxer and fencer. There... More

19 February 2016

Tennis player grunts or porn star groans?

Roberta Vinci appeared on Italian TV and was put to the test - were the grunts she was hea... More

15 September 2016

The 10 most influential players in the history of tennis

The greatest champions, goes the old adage, are those who leave their sport better than th... More