MINSK, 16 September (BelTA) - Belarusian world number 14 Victoria Azarenka opened her Internazionali BNL d'Italia campaign with a victory over U.S. world number 70 Venus Williams, 7-6 (9-7), 6-2, BelTA has learned.
The match lasted for two hours and three minutes.
The Belarusian will next face U.S. world number five Sofia Kenin.
In the men's singles Belarus' world number 137 Ilya Ivashka did not reach the main draw in the Italian capital. In the second qualifying match he lost 4-6, 6-7 (3-7) to Portugal's world number 74 Joao Sousa. In the opening qualifying match the Belarusian saw off Italy's Matteo Gigante, world number 868, 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7-1).
The tournament in Rome will finish on 21 September.
