Share

Mum Azarenka downs Watson to reach last 16

London - Former world number one Victoria Azarenka fought back to reach the last 16 at Wimbledon with a gritty 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over British wild card Heather Watson on Friday.

Competing in her first Grand Slam since taking a year off to have her first child in December, Azarenka is bidding to become the first mother to win Wimbledon in 37 years.

In just her second tournament following son Leo's birth, the 27-year-old Belarusian had to dig deep to beat battling home favourite Watson on Centre Court.

Watson, the world number 102, made a fast start as she looked to make the fourth round for the first time.

But after a sloppy first set from Azarenka, the two-time Australian Open champion stepped on the gas to keep alive her attempt to emulate Evonne Goolagong, who was the last Wimbledon mum to lift the Venus Rosewater Dish in 1980.

Only Goolagong, Margaret Court and Kim Clijsters have won a Grand Slam singles title after having a child.

"The whole match I was a little bit on the back foot. The second set I started to step in a little bit more," Azarenka said.

"I still feel that I should clean up my game a little bit but I'm very happy that I stayed tough in the important moments and took my opportunities because the third set was a little bit up and down.

"I really played well in the important moments. I really stepped up.

"Definitely these are the matches that you're looking for, trying to find a way when not everything goes great so I was very happy that I was able to stay tough and find other ways to win."

Azarenka, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 2011 and 2012, will play world number two Simona Halep or China's Peng Shuai on Monday for a place in the quarter-finals.

Wimbledon results on Friday, the fifth day of the 2017 championships at the All England Club (x denotes seeding):

Men

Third round

Benot Paire (FRA) bt Jerzy Janowicz (POL) 6-2, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3

Gilles Muller (LUX x16) bt Aljaz Bedene (GBR) 7-6 (7/4), 7-5, 6-4

Roberto Bautista (ESP x18) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x9) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-3

Marin Cilic (CRO x7) bt Steve Johnson (USA x26) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4

Women

Third round

Ana Konjuh (CRO x27) bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x8) 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-4

Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) bt Carina Witthoeft (GER) 6-1, 7-5

Johanna Konta (GBR x6) bt Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-4, 6-1

Caroline Garcia (FRA x21) bt Madison Brengle (USA) 6-4, 6-3

Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Heather Watson (GBR) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4

Simona Halep (ROM x2) bt Peng Shuai (CHN) 6-4, 7-6 (9/7)

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE