Azarenka Romps Past Kostyuk into 3rd Round

NEW YORK, Sep 1: Belarus's Victoria Azarenka romped into the US Open third round on Thursday with a largely tension-free straight sets victory over Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk. Two-time Grand Slam champion Azarenka, who has reached the final of the US Open on three previous occasions, was always in control as she sealed a 6-2, 6-3 win. The clash between 26th seed Azarenka and Kostyuk had raised the possibility of a politically-charged contest.

However the only hint of tension came at the end of the match, with Kostyuk offering a perfunctory touch of racquets with Azarenka instead of a handshake.

The 8th seed Jessica Pegula beat Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-4, 6-4 to reach third round. However, the 21th seed Petra Kvitova got walkover against Anhelina Kalinina. Lauren Davis beat 28th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova 0-6, 6-4, 7-6 to reach next round. Agencies

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