Lucie Safarova knocks out Victoria Azarenka in Mallorca
Lucie Safarova moved into the quarter-finals of the Mallorca Open with an easy win over Victoria Azarenka.
The seventh seed beat former world No 1 Azarenka 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 20 minutes to set up a last-eight encounter against Germany’s Tatjana Maria, who Carina Witthoeft 7-6 (7-1), 6-3.
.@luciesafarova books the last spot of the @MallorcaOpen quarterfinals!
Gets the win over Azarenka 6-3, 6-4! pic.twitter.com/8eqGaCVboR
— WTA (@WTA) June 21, 2018
“I played really well, served well, played aggressively,” Safarova said. “I didn’t give her time to get into a rhythm.
“It’s my first quarterfinal of the year, and I had a break of three months, so I’m happy to be coming back into feeling strong again. I hope I’ll continue this well.”
Third seed Anastasija Sevastova also advanced, but she had a tougher encounter as she required three sets to beat Antonia Lottner.
German qualifier Lottner won the opening set, but then fell away to 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 defeat in one hour and 33 minutes.
Sevastova will face another qualifier in Ajla Tomljanovic as the LAustralian beat Rebecca Peterson, 6-3, 6-3.
Alison Riske set up a match against Sam Stosur after beating Polona Hercog, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3.