ZCZC
BSP-25
TENNIS-FRA-OPEN-AZARENKA
Azarenka’s French Open return ended by Siniakova
PARIS, May 28, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Former world number one Victoria
Azarenka’s return to Grand Slam tennis lasted just two sets as the Belarusian
slumped to a 7-5, 7-5 loss to Katerina Siniakova in the French Open first
round on Monday.
Azarenka, who missed much of last season after being embroiled in a
custody battle over her son, was broken to love in the 12th games of each set
to be dumped out by world number 57 Siniakova.
The two-time Australian Open champion has now won just two matches at
Roland Garros in the last five years.
Czech Siniakova moves onto a second-round match with Ukraine’s Kateryna
Kozlova, who stunned defending champion Jelena Ostapenko on Sunday, in a part
of the draw in which the only remaining seed is number 26 Barbora Strycova.
It was Azarenka’s first Grand Slam match since losing to Simona Halep in
the Wimbledon fourth round last July.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1711 hrs