Victoria Azarenka, the former world number one, battled through a migraine to secure a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Clara Burel in the second round of the U.S. Open on Wednesday.
Azarenka dominated the opening set, winning the first five games before Burel managed to break her serve. However, the Belarusian’s momentum was halted in the second set as she began to struggle with the harsh lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Azarenka called for the doctor, who checked her blood pressure and gave her medication during a stoppage that lasted nearly five minutes. The interruption seemed to break Burel’s rhythm, as Azarenka won the next four games to seal the victory.
“I don’t know how I played the match,” Azarenka said in her post-match interview. “I just tried to, you know, hope that it’s going to get better a little bit.”
“I’m wearing glasses for a reason right now. It looks probably weird and awkward on TV. But I have a chronic migraine sometimes and it couldn’t be a worse time to start it, on the match.”
“It’s just tough to deal with.”
Despite the migraine, Azarenka displayed her trademark resilience and determination. She will next face China’s Wang Yafan in the third round.
