Victoria Azarenka continued her comeback tour with a clear 6:3, 6:0 first-round win in Miami against CiCi Bellis (USA). The match was followed by a homage to her little son Leo.
“I want to be his superhero,” said Azarenka after her successful start against 18-year-old Bellis and revealed: “My perspective has completely changed, it’s all about my little boy now. I feel a responsibility to set a good example for him. “If possible, the best you can imagine.”
And the 28-year-old Belarusian somehow always has the 15-month-old Leo with her on the court. Her tennis shoes have his name embroidered on them – with a heart emblazoned over it. Because of a custody dispute with her American ex-boyfriend Billy McKeague, a golf instructor from the island of Hawaii, Azarenka had not left the state of California, where she has her main residence, for eight months and therefore did not play tournaments.
The two-time Australian Open winner made her comeback at the last Premier Mandatory tournament in Indian Wells. In the Californian desert, Azarenka failed in the second round after a win over Heather Watson of Britain against US Open Champion Sloane Stephens (USA).
Vika” has the best memories of Miami. In Crandon Park on the offshore island of Key Biscayne she has won the title three times so far (2009, 2011, 2016). Two years ago, the former world number one, currently ranked 186, completed the so-called “Sunshine Double” in Florida, as she had previously also triumphed in Indian Wells.
Against Bellis, she reminded me of the “old Azarenka” with her powerful playing for a while: “I am very happy that I could keep my level throughout the match. But I am a perfectionist and of course I want to do everything even better and better,” she announced. In the next game, another touchstone awaits the “Super Mom” in New York finalist Madison Keys (USA/No. 14). Azarenka will be ready. Also thanks to “Leo” on the shoes.
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