WASHINGTON (AFP) – Elina Svitolina grabbed a second straight victory over Victoria Azarenka at the WTA Tour DC Open in Washington yesterday, weeks after the duo’s Wimbledon clash was marred by a handshake controversy.
The two rivals to serve up a hard-fought if error-strewn battle that saw no fewer than 17 breaks of serve before Svitolina finally prevailed 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.
Svitolina clinched victory by breaking Azarenka’s serve in the 10th game of the second set.
A wild Azarenka backhand presented Svitolina with a match point which she duly converted on the first attempt after bludgeoning a forehand winner into the corner.
Azarenka saluted Svitolina’s victory with a fleeting thumbs up before heading off the court.
