Azarenka’s ‘unbelievable’ win after medical issue

A medical break for a migraine headache proved an unlikely turning point as a pained Victoria Azarenka advanced to the third round of the US Open on Thursday (AEST).
The Belarusian star breezed through the opening set against France’s Clara Burel, winning it 6-1 at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
But trouble began in the second as Azarenka called for a medical timeout after having her serve broken for a 3-1 Burel lead.
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The former world No.1 was in tears and had her blood pressure checked by a doctor before opting to play on in New York.
The break halted Burel’s momentum and she only won one more game as Azarenka marched on with a gutsy 6-1, 6-4 win.
“I have chronic migraines sometimes and it couldn’t be a worse time,” the 20th seed said on Nine and Stan Sport’s coverage.
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Victoria Azarenka in action against Clara Burel. Getty
“It’s just, yeah, it’s tough to deal with.”
Azarenka wore sunglasses during the late night, on court interview.
“She’s talked about that in the past,” Jelena Dokic said on Nine’s coverage.
Victoria Azarenka after her win. Nine
“We’ve seen her go into press conferences as well with sunglasses and like she said, she does have chronic migraines.
“Not, obviously, a great time… so, unbelievable to even be out there and a lot of credit has to go to her.”
Azarenka, a three-time runner-up at the tournament, will play China’s Wang Yafan in the third round.
Meanwhile, defending champion Coco Gauff overcame some uneven serving to stretch her Flushing Meadows win streak to nine matches with a 6-4, 6-0 victory over Tatjana Maria.
US star Gauff had all sorts of trouble in the first set under the lights at a hot and muggy Arthur Ashe Stadium against Maria, a 37-year-old from Germany who hits slices on nearly every forehand and backhand.
There were seven double faults for Gauff in that set.
Coco Gauff of the United States serves against Tatjana Maria of Germany. Getty
She put in fewer than half of her first serves and faced five break points, but saved four.
Her body language was frequently negative after mistakes.
Gauff repeatedly looked at her guest box and put her palms up as if to say: ‘what is going on?”
Coco Gauff of the United States reacts against Tatjana Maria of Germany. Getty
She also rolled her eyes and put her hands on her hips, including after one wild swinging volley that sailed several feet long.
When Gauff served for the opening set, she double faulted twice and faced a pair of break points that would have allowed Maria to get the score to 5-5.
But Maria missed a forehand on the first, and Gauff struck a cross-court forehand passing shot on the second, then finished off the game.
The second set was a completely different story.
Gauff put together 15 winners to merely five unforced errors – two of which were double faults – and went 10 for 11 at the net.
The third seed will play Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the third round.