Powerful Azarenka blasts past Osaka

The Czech was a bundle of energy and while the Spaniard looked unsafe in the opening game, working two break points, she was unable to convert them and Strycova held on.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, and Roberta Vinci, Italy, def. Jessica Moore and Storm Sanders, Australia, 6-0, 6-3. On Saturday, she wiped the teenage Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-1.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – Andy Murray advanced to the fourth round and left the court immediately to check on the welfare of his father-in-law, who needed urgent medical treatment while watching Ana Ivanovic play on a nearby court at the Australian Open.

Prediction: Victoria Azarenka in straight sets.

The two-time Australian Open champion, seeded 14th this year, has lost just five games in three matches so far at Melbourne Park.

Johanna Konta, Britain, def. Denisa Allertova, Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-2.

Muguruza’s flop puts her alongside second seed Simona Halep, sixth seed Petra Kvitova and eighth seed Venus Williams as top-10 players who have failed to make the tournament’s second week.

She lost in the second round at the U.S. Open and her third-round exit here was worse than her two previous trips to Melbourne Park, where she reached the fourth round.

Makarova will next meet unseeded Brit Johanna Konta, who on Saturday topped Czech Denisa Allertova 6-2, 6-2.

Muguruza was sensationally upset by Czech tennis veteran and world No. 48 Barbora Strycova, who easily outplayed a listless Muguruza 6-3, 6-2 in just over an hour, reports Xinhua.

Keys’ performance was somewhat erratic against Ivanovic. Wawrinka had 45 winners to just 23 errors in a strong performance and will face Raonic in an intriguing fourth-round match.

“Thank you for all your nice tweets and words of encouragement. I felt a little bit, I don’t know, not moving very well”, added the world No.3.

A well-guided smash and line-kissing victor gave Muguruza a boost but her woes continued as she watched two break-back opportunities go begging before three consecutive errant backhands gifted Strycova a pivotal 2-0 advantage.

“Clearly not my best, for sure”. I think she has a lot of potential, a lot of power.

“I stayed focused and stayed through”, said Azarenka, who now goes on to play Barbora Strycova in the fourth round.

Azarenka said, “She definitely surprised me with her play….”

Muguruza was the breakout star of 2015 but also found the going tough in the second round against Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.

“I will do anything I can, anything, to be able to not just beat Serena, but to win Wimbledon”, Azarenka said after that Wimbledon defeat. “Really, it did”, Azarenka said. She dropped from No. 1 at the start of 2013 to No. 32 by the end of 2014. I guess also I didn’t feel quite good at any moment.

There was no official confirmation on Sears or his condition from the Australian Open, although Rod Laver Arena stadium announcer Craig Willis told the crowd: “Nigel Sears had a turn, as we all saw”.

It was all the more remarkable as Strycova has only once ventured past the third round once in 38 grand slam tournaments.