Over a decade removed from her back-to-back Australian Open titles, Victoria Azarenka is now in a prime position to challenge for a third career grand slam.
The 34-year-old has been strong across the opening three rounds and with a number of the top seeds – including the No.1 ranked Iga Swiatek – all bundled out, the draw has certainly opened up for the Belarusian veteran.
Speaking on Wide World Of Sports’ The Morning Serve, retired star Sam Stosur explained why Azarenka is in a better spot to compete for silverware now compared to some recent campaigns, both in Melbourne and abroad.
”Anything is possible – she knows what it takes and especially here in Australia, this is where she’s had her most success,” the former US Open winner said.
“Obviously 10 or 11 years later, it’s quite phenomenal to think that she’s still got another possibility. She’s on the side of the draw where a lot of the seeds have been knocked out – I think it’s gonna be here or Svitolina to move through.
“She was very impressive in her last match against Ostapenko, she was serving really big – that’s what impressed me the most.
“Her return game, her stance, her second-serve returns … you can not get away with dropping anything short, she will eat it up.
“She’s playing very well at the moment and I think it’s gonna be one of her best chances to really go deep and push for another slam.”
