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By Chris Oddo | Friday March 9, 2018

 
Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka made her successful 2018 debut on Thursday night with a straight-sets win over Heather Watson.

Photo Source: Matthew Stockman/Getty

Mom’s had a ball on Thursday night at the BNP Paribas Open, and we’re not talking about the paying customers. Hours after Serena Williams made her return to the WTA Tour with an inspiring victory, Victoria Azarenka did the same, battling past Heather Watson, 6-4, 6-2, to set up a second-round clash with 13th-seeded Sloane Stephens.

Indian Wells, Day 2: Serena Williams Makes a Winning Return

Azarenka had some rough spots over the course of the one hour and 43-minute encounter, but she was stubborn and steely when she needed to be, especially in a marathon 18-minute hold that put her a game from the finish line in the second set.

In total, Azarenka saved 10 of 12 break points, including all eight she faced in the second set against Watson. The victory marks Azarenka’s sixth victory in six career matches against the 25-year-old Guernsey native, who drops to 3-5 on the season and 6-6 lifetime at Indian Wells.

Azarenka has been out of action since Wimbledon due to an ongoing custody battle for her one-year-old son Leo. She has been unable to leave the state with Leo and has refused to travel without him. It is unclear what Azarenka’s schedule will look like for the rest of the season, but she did tell reporters that she plans to play Miami.


But on this night, the former No.1 and two-time major champion was happy to be doing what she loves, in front of a crowd that appreciates her.

"I almost had tears in my eyes walking out,” Azarenka said after the match.


On court she was as fiery and focused as ever, chatting with herself between points as she worked hard to maintain her concentration.

It wasn’t always perfect but it was good enough to sail through and improve to 27-6 lifetime at Indian Wells. The 2016 champion ties Martina Hingis for seventh on the all-time Indian Wells win list and will try to improve upon that when she meets last year’s U.S. Open champion on Saturday.

Azarenka has defeated Stephens in all three of their previous meetings, all of them coming at the Australian Open.

 

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