AZARENKA WIN, McHale OUT IN US OPEN 2014

Victoria Azarenka recovered from a slow start against American Christina McHale, nearly going down 0-4 in the opening set before cruising to a 6-3, 6-2 victory in the US Open second round on Thursday in Arthur Ashe Stadium. 

 “Christina started really well, not missing a ball, and I felt like I was always on my back foot,” Azarenka said in a post-match interview. “I tried to fight and got my momentum, and felt like I started to do what I should have been doing in the beginning.” They had split their previous two encounters, but this was also a match between two players on the comeback trail. The 25-year-old Belarusian, a two-time Australian Open champ and US Open runner-up the last two years (losing on both occasions to Serena Williams), is at her lowest seeding here following left foot and right knee injuries. The 22-year-old McHale, a New Jersey native, reached No. 24 in August 2012, but hasn’t enjoyed the same success since contracting mononucleosis. She was out of the Top 100 (at No. 115) a year later, before finishing the 2013 season at No. 68. Now at No. 44, McHale was steady though unspectacular in the first set – which was all she needed to take the early lead against one of the hardest hitters in the game. McHale continued to match her grunt for grunt (albeit at a far lower decibel), but Azarenka earned her first break back – and her way back into the match – after consecutive McHale errors, which she celebrated with a clenched fist and cries of “Come on!” After finally closing the door on the 64-minute first set in swirling conditions, it was back to business for Azarenka - who had taken the court wearing headphones covered by a long-sleeved, blue hoodie, despite temperatures already in the 80s when the match began shortly after 11 a.m. McHale pummeled a few of her trademark forehand winners in the second set, but couldn’t string enough of them together to make an impact. She double-faulted to go down 1-5, and despite denying Azarenka a match point in her next service game, succumbed to the last of her opponent’s 23 winners (compared to McHale's 10) in the 1 hour, 46-minute encounter. After a victory dance on court, Azarenka said she was just happy to be back playing on one of the greatest stages in the sport.