By Erik Gudris | Sunday, May 3, 2015

 

Victoria Azarenka got her second straight win this season over Venus Williams this time in Madrid.

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Unseeded Victoria Azarenka moved into round two at the Madrid Open over Venus Williams on Sunday.

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In a battle of former No.1's, both Azarenka and Williams probably would have preferred an easier opening round opponent. Though Williams held a 4-1 lifetime head to head record, Azarenka did win their last meeting in Doha a few months ago.

With the 31st ranked Azarenka unseeded and still on the comeback trail after multiple injuries derailed her 2014 season, that made this marquee matchup a reality in the first round.

On the red clay of Madrid, Williams struggled with her form early in the first set. A slew of errors from the former event finalist allowed Azarenka to break in the opening game.

Azarenka, looking more comfortable on court, didn't let go of her advantage as she went on to take the set 6-3 with a forehand winner.

The second set again saw Azarenka take an early break lead and for a moment it looked like she might run away with the match. Williams roared to life though in the third game. Fighting to stay in touch with her opponent, Williams ripped a running down the line backhand winner. Williams eventually broke back and leveled things for 2-all.

Despite having hit 10 unforced backhand errors, Williams found herself back in the match. With better serving and finding more success on her forehand, Williams won four out of the next five games. Now it was Azarenka's turn to fight as Williams threatened to break the two-time Grand Slam winner and possibly force a third set.

Azarenka held off Williams to get within a game of the match at 5-4. Both women then held serve easily but Williams now had to serve her way into a tiebreak down 6-5.

That was when Azarenka made her move. Hitting forceful returns and moving forward at every opportunity, Azarenka soon found herself with 0-40 and triple match point. Azarenka, charging into the net after hitting a return, forced a final error from Williams. With that, Azarenka wrapped up the 6-3, 7-5 win.

Azarenka finds herself in the same section of the draw as top seed Serena Williams and the two women could face each other in the third round. Williams easily advanced in her opening match against Madison Brengle 6-0, 6-1.