Azarenka through to Wimbledon second round

World No.2 Victoria Azarenka overpowered Portugal’s Maria Joao Koehler in the first round of Wimbledon, which is the third Big Slam tennis tournament of the season, on 24 June. The best Belarusian tennis player dominated on Court No.1 against Maria Joao Koehler. When Victoria Azarenka was 6-1, 1-0 ahead, 33 minutes into the game, her foot skidded and she fell to the grass. The injury was thought to be serious but the doctors’ help made it possible for the Belarusian to continue the game. Victoria Azarenka overcame her pain and won the match 6-1, 6-2 to set up a second-round date with Italy’s Flavia Pennetta (158). The Italian, 31, gave a solid performance against Great Britain's Yelena Baltacha (185) 6-4, 6-1.

It is the eighth Wimbledon tournament for Victoria Azarenka. Her best achievement were two semifinals in a row in 2011 and 2012, where she lost against Czechia’s Petra Kvitova and Serena Williams of the U.S. respectively. Victoria Azarenka has positive experience of playing in Wimbledon as she won two Olympic medals here in 2012, one gold in the mixed doubles with Belarus’ Max Mirnyi and one bronze medal in the women’s singles.