Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka is safely through to the quarterfinals of the Qatar Total Open after overcoming Simona Halep‘s resistance early in their third round match. The world No.63 Halep took Azarenka’s serve and held for a 3-1 lead in the beginning of the match, but from then on it was all Azarenka, as the seed No.1 won ten straight games for 6-3 5-0, before winning the match 6-3 6-1.
Yanina Wickmayer will be Azarenka’s opponent in the quarterfinals. The Belgian, who took out seventh seed Francesca Schiavone in the second round, advanced to the final eight with a 6-4 6-0 victory over Ksenia Pervak. Wickmayer and Azarenka will meet for the first time. (photo: Johan Rivera)