Belarusian Azarenka Qualifies for Second Round of Qatar TotalEnergies Open

Doha, February 21 (QNA) - Belarusian Victoria Azarenka the Qatar champion in 2012 and 2013, qualified for the second round of the Qatar TotalEnergies Open after defeated feisty Yulia Putintseva of Kazkhstan 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 in two hours and 49 minutes. The two-time Grand Slam winner fought back from 0-4 down in the deciding set during which Putintseva also held match-point. With this wining, Azarenka continued her career in the tournament for the title for the third time and the record number of times to win in Qatar, which she currently shares with Russians Anastasia Myskina (2003 and 2004), and Maria Sharapova (2005 and 2008), and Czech Petra Kvitova (2018 and 2021). Fourteenth seed Jessica Pegula of the US yesterday beat Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2 in 70 minutes, Pegula, who played the Doha semi-finals last year as a qualifier, hit three aces in her second win over Siniakova, The American will face Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan of Slovenia in the next round at the seven-day tournament. In another clash, Belgiums Alison van Uytvanck eased past former champion Vera Zvonareva of Russia in straight sets to reach the second round, Van Uytvanck won 6-4, 6-4 in a minute short of two hours against the 2011 champion in Qatar. Also yesterday, Juvan of Slovenia kicked off her Qatar campaign with a commanding show against Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland. Juvan won 6-4, 6-2 in 80 minutes. Romanias Sorana Cirstea also advanced after she beat Mayar Sherif of Egypt, also in straight sets, Cirstea, sitting on her highest ever ranking of 30, won 6-2, 6-1 in 68 minutes, Cirestea, one of three Romanians in the draw, will now play last years runners-up Garbine Muguruza of Spain. In another match, Aliaksandra Sasnovic of Belarus beat Shuai Zhang of China 6-1, 6-1 in less than an hours time, Sasnovic, 27, fired four aces as she wrapped up the match with ease against her vastly experienced Chinese opponent. American Madison Brengle eased past Turkeys Ipek Oz in straight sets. Brengle won 7-5, 6-3. Croatias Ana Konjuh beat Ukraines Marta Kostyuk in three sets. Konjuh won 4-6, 7-5, 6-3. (QNA)