Last Update: January 22, 2023, 21:22 IST
Victoria Azarenka won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013. (AP Photo)
When asked what time she goes to bed, Victoria Azarenka replied: “I don’t even know what time it is.”
Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the quarterfinals at 2:17 p.m. on Monday after a late night win over China’s Zhu Lin.
The 24th-seeded Belarusian won 4-6, 6-1, 6-4 and will face Jessica Pegula of the United States, the top-seeded woman remaining in the draw.
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The organizers of the tournament were widely criticized a few days ago when Andy Murray and home player Thanasi Kokkinakis fought until 4:05 am.
The match between Azarenka and unseeded Zhu started late at Rod Laver Arena as the previous encounter between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Jannik Sinner went to five sets.
It turned out to be a grueling clash, which began late on Sunday and ended in the early hours of Monday, with a nearly empty stadium by that point.
“It was two hours and 40 minutes of absolute pressure,” the 33-year-old Azarenka said afterward.
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Asked what time she would be in bed, she replied: “I don’t even know what time it is.
“Maybe I’ll stay up until 6:00 a.m., then put on a mask and sleep through the day.”
After winning a set each, Zhu and Azarenka went into the deciding third and proceeded to exchange breaks at 3–3.
Both players were hitting some powerful ground strokes and the 28-year-old Zhu eventually saved serve at 4-3 to take her into the last eight.
Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 Australian Open champion, then leveled at 4–4, and broke her opponent 5–4 when Zhu returned to the net.
Azarenka sensed victory and found herself a hole down, facing two break points.
She sealed the deal with a two-handed crosscourt backhand on the first match point.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed)