Citi DC Open: Elina Svitolina bests Victoria Azarenka for second time in 2023

Elina Svitolina and Victoria Azarenka were set to face each other in a heavyweight first-round encounter at the Citi DC Open on Monday. It was the second time they were playing each other this year in just over a month, following their pre-quarter-final match at Wimbledon. Svitolina won 7-6(2), 6-4 in an hour and 47 minutes.

The match fluctuated between the two competitors. The Ukrainian led Azarenka with a break in the first set but the latter pulled back and levelled the set. Later, she went on to secure a break of her own and even served for the set in the ninth game. The set’s momentum changed yet again at that point as Svitolina broke back and took the proceedings into the tie-break. In the tie-break, the 28-year-old dropped only two points as she raced to a one-set lead.

The second set saw Svitolina fail to win any of her second-serve points. However, even though the 2023 French Open and Wimbledon semi-finalist, went zero for nine in second-serve points, she did win 75% of points on return on the former world no. 1’s second serve and 60% points on return on her first serve. This eventually helped her secure the win in straight sets.

Azarenka, who had her birthday on the day of the match, came into it with a 5-1 head-to-head against Svitolina. The only loss she’d had, had come at the Championships this year.

Citi DC Open: Seeds face no trouble in respective R32 clashes

Now, in the round-of-16, Svitolina will take on Daria Kasatkina. Kasatkina, who’s the fifth seed this week, came through against Elise Mertens, 6-3, 7-5 in an hour and 43 minutes.

Sixth seed Belinda Bencic also made her way into the second round after her opponent, Anastasia Potapova retired in their match. Bencic was leading Potapova 6-5 in the first set at the time. Next up for Bencic will be Lauren Davis. Davis won a derby against fellow countrywoman Sloane Stephens, 7-6(8), 3-6, 6-1.

Svitolina’s compatriot, Marta Kostyuk also advanced to the second round with an emphatic win over Bianca Andreescu. The Ukrainian saved a handful of match points in the third set before clinching a 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) win.

Lastly, 2022 Citi DC Open champion, Liudmila Samsonova also got into the second round. The eighth seed defeated Danielle Collins in 73 minutes, 6-1, 6-3.