Australia Open: Azarenka romps into second round without dropping a game

Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka Thursday said she was feeling in great shape “body-wise, spirit-wise, everything-wise” as she kept up her scintillating form to reach the Australian Open third round.

The 14th seed has quickly established herself as one to watch at Melbourne Park, and she was in fine form on Margaret Court Arena on Thursday as she eased past Kovinic 6-1, 6-2.

Belarus’s Victoria Azarenka celebrates after winning her first round match against Belgium’s Alison van Uytvanck at the Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park, Australia, today.

The 26-year-old, who won the Open in 2012 and 2013, dished out a double bagel in the opening round.

The former world number one looks to be nearing her best following an injury-ravaged season in 2014, after claiming the Brisbane International earlier this month.

“I really don’t count the games”, Azarenka said of her current record. “It wasn’t really the beginning I had [in mind] in this Aussie tour, but I’m really happy to have the victory here and hopefully I can improve in my next match”. I try to keep myself on the court and I play every point like it’s my last point. “For me, what I found interesting is that it was going the wrong way”.

“Kirsten is a very hard opponent”.

The Belarussian celebrated with the Dab, the “fun”, “cool” hip-hop move beloved of NBA All Star LeBron James and a string of National Football League players, and said the secret of her hot streak was simply living in the moment.

Muguruza is yet to drop a set in the tournament and next faces world No. 48 Barbora Strycova.

“(But) I don’t really remember how I felt back then because I think it was different stage of my career”. “I was actually shaking because the sound of the lady falling was really loud”, Ivanovic said.

American 15th seed Madison Keys battled back from a set down to beat Yaroslava Shvedova 6-7 (4-7) 6-3 6-3 in two hours. Stream it live on 7tennis.com.au or from our new 7Tennis apps.