Victoria Azarenka avenges Indian Wells defeat to Paula Badosa in Adelaide opener

Victoria Azarenka began the 2022 season with an emphatic win over BNP Paribas Open champion Paula Badosa, overcoming the No. 4 seed, 6-3, 6-2 at the Adelaide International 1.

A two-time Australian Open champion, Azarenka finished runner-up to Badosa last fall after serving for the match at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, and looked in pristine form throughout the 78-minute victory.

Azarenka’s Indian Wells match with Badosa was widely considered one of the best matches of 2021, setting all eyes on this intriguing match-up when the Adelaide draw was released. Another twist came when it was announced the duo would pair up for the doubles tournament, during which they scored a big upset over top seeds Shuko Aoyama and Ena Shibahara.

Badosa arrived in Australia looking to erase painful memories of her previous Australian summer, one that saw her spend nearly three weeks in hotel quarantine after contracting COVID-19. Released in time to play the Australian Open, the Spaniard endured a heartbreaking loss to Liudmila Samsonova in the first round.

From there, however, she went on to enjoy a breakthrough season that culminated with victory at the BNP Paribas Open and a maiden berth at the WTA Finals. Opening against Azarenka on Tuesday, the 24-year-old appeared on song as she twice broke the Belarusian and held points for a 4-2 lead to start the match.

Azarenka turned things around from there, reeling off four straight games to take the opening set, and break Badosa twice more in the second set to ease over the finish line in just over an hour.

Despite a clean performance from Badosa with 20 winners to 18 unforced errors, Azarenka was ultimately more aggressive with 24 winners and 15 errors of her own, converting an impressive five of nine break points over two sets.

The former world No. 1 will next face Australian wildcard Priscilla Hon, who shocked Petra Kvitova in three sets earlier in the week.