Brisbane International: Azarenka through to quarter-finals, faces Ostapenko next

Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, the No 8 seed, won against Frenchwoman Clara Burel 7-5, 6-2 to reach the last eight of the WTA Brisbane International on Thursday.

Azarenka, a former world No 1 and now ranked No 23, has scored 17 singles wins at the event, of which 15 have come in straight-sets.

“I felt that whenever I needed, I was able to step up my game” – Azarenka

She will play Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, the No 3 seed, who defeated No 16 seed Karolina Pliskova in another second-round match. The Belarusian, who won the title here in 2009 and in 2016, is now through to the quarter-finals in Brisbane for the fifth time in six appearances.

“It was a very competitive match, but I felt that whenever I needed, I was able to step up my game,” Azarenka said after her win. “I think (Burel) played really well, so I have to give her credit. She was changing up the game and passing me so well.”

Ahead of Azarenka’s win today, the 34-year-old two-time Australian Open champion beat Russian Anna Kalinskaya (6-1, 7-6 (8)).

Burel, ranked No 56 in the world, won against qualifier Zeynep Sonmez (6-4, 6-2) and Ukrainian Anhelina Kalinina, the No 12 seed (6-4, 6-1) earlier in the week.

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