Azarenka eases into quarter-finals
For the third straight year, Victoria Azarenka knocked Barbora Strycova out of the Australian Open.
The Belarusian two-time champion knocked Strycova out of the year's first grand slam for the third straight year thanks to a 6-2 6-4 victory on Rod Laver Arena on Monday.
Azarenka, the 14th seed in Melbourne, clinched the Brisbane International title in the lead-up and is yet to drop a set this year.
She meets Kerber, who she thrashed in the final in Brisbane, in a last-eight clash in a bottom half of the draw that has opened right up following the exits of Simona Halep and Venus Williams among others.
Strycova, now 0-5 against Azarenka, tried to impose herself more than she often does, but her unforced errors were costly as she missed out on a second grand slam quarter-final appearance.
For Azarenka, she is into the last eight in Melbourne for a fifth time.
Strycova was steady early, and came from 0-40 down to hold in the third game, but her aggression – and errors – were her undoing as Azarenka broke for 3-2.
Azarenka has been broken just once at the tournament and lost no more than three games in a set this year, but the latter changed in the second set.
She was challenged when serving at 4-3 before Strycova made her serve it out, and she had no trouble doing so.
STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN
Azarenka [14] bt Strycova 6-2 6-4
ACES
Azarenka - 0
Strycova - 2
WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS
Azarenka - 15/14
Strycova - 23/33
BREAK POINTS WON
Azarenka - 3/7
Strycova - 0/2
FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE
Azarenka - 76
Strycova - 68
PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE
Azarenka - 83/38
Strycova - 63/42
TOTAL POINTS
Azarenka - 65
Strycova - 48