2016 Australian Open: Victoria Azarenka cruises into the third round
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka continued the incredible start to her 2016 title campaign, notching a swift win over Montenegro's Danka Kovinic to advance to the third round here on Thursday. Azarenka needed barely an hour to cruise past Kovinic 6-1, 6-2.
"I really don't count the games," Azarenka said after the match.
"What really works for me is to stay in the moment. I enjoy my time on the court and play every point like it's my last. I just want to enjoy the journey. Right now I just can't wait to be out here again."
The No. 14 seed hit only nine unforced errors to Kovinic's 22, and blasted 19 winners, including a huge around-the-post forehand winner in the final game.
"I played really well, especially in the beginning," Azarenka said.
"I just tried to create opportunities and not let her dictate the points."
She will next face the unseeded Japanese Naomi Osaka.
Up next, Azarenka is set to face the unseeded Japanese 18-year-old Naomi Osaka, who won 6-4, 6-4 in an upset over No.18-seeded Elina Svitolina.
"I never feel pressure from playing someone that's supposed to be like better than me, sort of," Osaka said on Friday at the prospect of facing Azarenka.
"I'm just going to go in there happy and hopefully try to pull off an upset."