MINSK, 21 February (BelTA) – Two Belarusian players moved to the second round of the Qatar Open in Doha, BelTA has learned.
In the opener Aliaksandra Sasnovich needed 55 minutes to defeat China's world number 66 Zhang Shuai, 6-1, 6-1. In the second round the Belarusian will face world number 10 Ons Jabeur from Tunisia. Aliaksandra Sasnovich had to go through qualifying to reach the main draw. the Belarusian saw off Romania's world number 101 Ana Bogdan, 6-1, 6-1, in the first qualifying round, and beat world's number 324 Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium, 6-3, 6-2, in the second qualifying round.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka saw off Kazakhstan's world number 42 Yulia Putintseva, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5, in the opening round. In the round of Last 32 Victoria Azarenka will play world number 60 Madison Brengle of the United States.
Belarus' world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka will start her Qatar Open run from the round of Last 32. She will open against world number 37 Alize Cornet of France.
The competitions in Doha will be over on 26 February.
