Former world primary Victoria Azarenka reached the fourth spherical of the French Open for the primary time since 2013 with a 6-2 6-2 victory towards American Madison Keys. The Belarusian, who reached a career-best semifinal at Roland Garros eight years in the past. Victoria Azarenka of Belarus (Courtesy: AP)HIGHLIGHTSAzarenka reached her career-best semifinal at Roland Garros in 2013Azarenka withdrew from Madrid Open final monthWith the highest three seeds out, the ladies’s draw is now extensive openFormer world primary Victoria Azarenka stormed into the fourth spherical of the French Open with a simple 6-2, 6-2 victory towards Madison Keys on Friday. The final time Azarenka reached the pre-quarterfinals for the primary time since 2013.”Right from the beginning I knew there would be a lot of intensity, heavy balls. I tried to be solid and put pressure on her so she cannot dictate the points,” the fifteenth seed stated in a courtside interview.Azarenka broke for 3-2 on her third alternative as Keys hit a backhand lengthy and a passing shot winner earned her one other break earlier than she bagged the opening set on serve.She stole her opponent’s serve twice once more within the second set, conserving Keys on the again foot all through.The Belarusian, who reached a career-best semifinal at Roland Garros eight years in the past, was a doubt for the claycourt Grand Slam after withdrawing from the Madrid Open final month with again ache, however she has been strong to date.With the highest three seeds out after Ash Barty retired injured, Naomi Osaka withdrew and Aryna Sabalenka misplaced on Friday, the ladies’s draw is now extensive open. Top-ranked Ash Barty retired from her second-round match. No. 2 Naomi Osaka withdrew after the primary spherical, saying she goes to take a break from the competitors for psychological well being causes. Third seed Aryna Sabalenka crashed out with a 4-6 6-2 0-6 third-round defeat to Russian thirty first seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.Azarenka subsequent faces Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova who despatched packing third seed Sabalenka of Belarus earlier.Click right here for IndiaToday.in’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic.