• WTA Tour

Azarenka returns in style as Stosur crashes out

ESPN staff
September 28, 2010
Victoria Azarenka is fit and firing again © Getty Images
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Victoria Azarenka made a victorious return to tennis in her first match since collapsing dramatically at the US Open.

Azarenka was rushed to hospital after she crumbled into a heap on court before retiring from her match against Gisela Dulko on September 1.

But, having been given the all-clear to return, she showed no signs of any lingering ill-effects as she brushed aside Lucie Safarova 6-1 6-3 in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo.

"Sometimes things happen unfortunately in this way," Azarenka said. "I cannot look back. I try to forget about it as much as I can, but people still remind me. For me, it's important to move forward.

"I think it was a very good start for me. I hadn't played for three weeks, so I was a little bit nervous to get into the match and see what I could do. I did pretty well and I'm happy with my game and with the way I moved. My serve was a little bit inconsistent, but still I think I put a lot of pressure, winning a lot of points."

Elsewhere, Sam Stosur's difficulties continued as she slumped to a shock 7-5 6-3 defeat against Julia Georges. The French Open finalist - who hasn't been past a quarter-final since July - has been unable to recapture her scintillating early-season form in recent months.

Caroline Wozniacki and Vera Zvonareva both progressed with routine straight-sets victories over Greta Arn and Sara Errani respectively, while Svetlana Kuznetsova was sent tumbling out by Andrea Petkovic.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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