Victoria Azarenka overcame home favourite Heather Watson in a two-hour, five-minute tussle to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon, in just her second tournament back from maternity leave.
The ex-world No1 beat Watson 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 to book a last-16 showdown with Simona Halep.
“I’m happy to be here. I’m still very ambitious and focused. I’m not on a cloud nine for making it to the second week, but I do appreciate everything that I have been able to achieve right now, and I don’t take anything for granted,” said new mum Azarenka.
“I’m still in the tournament. I can’t be too happy. I’m never really satisfied until it’s done.”
Great Britain’s Johanna Konta, the No6 seed, eased past Greece’s Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-1, to set up a fourth round against French No21 seed Carolina Garcia.
Konta is bidding to become the first British woman to win singles at Wimbledon since Virginia Wade 40 years ago. She is currently the bookmakers’ favourite for the title.
“I have said that everyone in the draw is in with a chance of taking the title. I think I’m pretty sure favorites also come and go. They change daily almost,” said Konta. “I’m just here, happy to have actually made it into the second week, happy to come through three battles this week. Again, very much taking it one match at a time. But definitely working towards staying involved for a full two weeks.”
Rafael Nadal was in brutal form against ATP NextGen star Karen Khachanov, as he beat the Russian 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (3), to reach the second week at Wimbledon for the first time since 2014. Nadal next takes on Luxembourg’s No16 seed Gilles Muller
“It’s obvious that it’s a tough opponent, no? He came here playing good matches on grass, semifinals in Halle one week and a half ago, playing good match in semi-finals,” Nadal said of Khachanov.
“Yeah, I think was a tough one. For a set and a half I was playing fantastic, then little bit worst. But in general terms very well, very happy.”
