Azarenka moves into QF after Daria Kasatkina suffers injury at Rome Masters

Victoria Azarenka came throught her round of 16 match with a sudden injury to Daria Kasatkina at the BNL Internazionali D'Italia on Friday

Victoria Azarenka was under fire but an injury that occurred gave her the sudden advance at the BNL Internazionali D’Italia Friday. An ankle injury to Daria Kasatkina during the first set tiebreak caused her immense pain, forcing her to retire in a 7-6(0) score on Grand Stand Arena at Foro Italico. The battle between the two ended with Azarenka being a true sportsman, assisting and consoling Kasatkina who let her emotions out. 

The Belorussian made the biggest statement Thursday with a dominating victory over Sofia Kenin. What was expected to be a competitive match ended with the American never find her ground in a 6-0, 6-0 result for the 31-year-old. With that carrying into the third round and her match win over Kasatkina back in Madrid last year, the world number 14 still had the energy level high. The word “stop” was nowhere in the mind of Azarenka after having played two weeks of hard courts and three consecutive matches on red clay. Another win would put her in a level all by herself depending on the start against the Russian who had yet to drop a set as well. 

Azarenka opened service but was forced to deuce by Kasatkina, who gained two breakpoint chances. The Belorussian denied her the service break and won it on her first AD point. The Russian had a better turnout over her service playing only five points to hold her end. The 31-year-old nearly matched the level of tennis by Kasatkina but another fight to deuce ensued. She managed to keep it short to stay on serve, realizing the adjustments that were to be made. 

The Belorussian moved into an attack position forcing Kasatkina to deuce in the fourth. After killing off her opponent’s AD point to hold service, Azarenka achieved the breakpoint and took a 3-1 lead in response. The Russian answered with an early threat in the fifth that sent Azarenka into defensive action. Kasatkina forced deuce and made her break chance to count on the second deuce opportunity. Consolidating that effort with a serve to love made it three-all with the Belorussian back on serve in the seventh. 

A challenge from Kasatkina arrived when she pushed to gain a breakpoint at 40-30. Azarenka climbed back to force deuce that led to a long tug of war between them. She saved a second break from the Russian but failed to notch the AD point. A second opportunity slipped away for the 31-year-old and after the fourth break, Kasatkina went on to take the game. The Belorussian broke back in another battle but pressured with three consecutive breakpoints.

The 23-year-old stepped up and shutout Azarenka in the ninth with a break to love before serving for the set in the following game. She was denied the pleasure of going a set up on the former world number one, witnessing a big push for breakpoint before leveling at five-all. Azarenka’s service was nowhere near her best as she trailed in the 11th, handing Kasatkina the chance to win the set on serve. 

She was denied that chance by Azarenka, who was not going down under her current status forcing a tiebreak to be played out. After the first point, Kasatkina twisted her ankle after sliding on the clay for the ball, taking a fall to the ground. Azarenka didn’t take social distancing into mind and crossed over to check on her opponent who was writhing in pain. 

Helping umpire Pierre Bacchi look over her, Azarenka brushed the clay off Kasatkina who began to cry. Bacchi and Azarenka helped her to her feet and get her to the bench so physios and the tournament doctor could evaluate. It was agreed that the match would not continue giving Azarenka the advancement after 1 hour and 16 minutes of intense tennis.   

With the sad ending to a thrilling match, Azarenka would be assured of another as she took on Garbine Muguruza in the quarterfinal.