Former world number 1 Victoria Azarenka stunned the tennis world with her performance against gravity at the Ostrava Open.
During her round of 16 against Czech tennis star Barbora Krejcikova in Ostrava, Azarenka struggled after losing the first set in a double break.
The Belarusian brought the match to a must-win third set when her backhand disc flew over the net before falling over the other side.
Azarenka could barely make out what she had seen, crouched on one knee and giggled in disbelief.
“That is extraordinary,” exclaimed the commentator.
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The 31-year-old finished the game with 39 winners and 18 unforced mistakes. She secured a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 win in two hours and 13 minutes to secure a spot in the quarterfinals where she will face Elise Mertens, the world number 18.
“My fighting spirit got me into the game,” said Azarenka.
“From there I started to record my game. I think it was the starting shot – my fighting spirit.
“(Krejcikova) played really well … I had the feeling that she played very well throughout the game, but she just played so easily. I didn’t necessarily feel like I was playing badly, she was just one step ahead and I felt like everything was working out somehow. What helped me understand that I had to change and adapt.
“I had to adapt, find new tactics, be more aggressive, do a little more and assert myself a little more effectively.”
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Azarenka is hoping to secure her 22nd WTA singles title in Ostrava after finishing 21st at the Western & Southern Open earlier this year.
In the meantime, Elina Svitolina was eliminated from the WTA tournament after losing to Maria Sakkari in straight sets.
World number 23 Sakkari prevailed 6: 3, 6: 3 against Svitolina in one hour and 16 minutes and took a place in the quarter-finals.
“I think my basic strokes worked really well, I was super solid from the start,” the Greek star told Czech TV after the game.
“And of course my serve helped me a lot.”
– with AFP
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