Charleston Open: Azarenka snaps four-match losing streak against Stephens to reach last 16

Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, the No 6 seed, defeated American Sloane Stephens for the first time in five meetings to advance to the last 16 of the Charleston Open at the Family Circle Tennis Center on Tuesday.

In a battle of former Grand Slam champions, Azarenka came from a set down to beat Stephens 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 in just a little over two hours.

Azarenka, ranked No 18 in the world, had won the first three meetings with Stephens before losing the next four. Her win on Tuesday levelled their head-to-head at 4-4.

Azarenka will next face Russian Anna Kalinskaya for a place in the quarter-finals.

In the previous round of the Charleston tournament, Stephens, ranked No 50, defeated qualifier Louisa Chirico (3-6, 6-1, 6-2) while the Belarusian received a first round bye.

Charleston WTA 500, other second-round matches (Family Circle Tennis Center, clay, USD 780,637)

• Anna Kalinskaya beat Alize Cornet: 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-2
• Belinda Bencic vs. Katherine Sebov
• Catherine McNally vs. Shelby Rogers
• Magda Linette vs. Varvara Gracheva
• Sofia Kenin vs. Irina-Camelia Begu
• Jessica Pegula vs. Anna Blinkova
• Linda Fruhvirtova vs. Caroline Dolehide
• Cristina Bucsa vs. Bernarda Pera
• Hailey Baptiste vs. Madison Keys
• Yulia Putintseva vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova
• Madison Brengle vs. Daria Kasatkina
• Julia Grabher vs. Sachia Vickery
• Diana Shnaider vs. Veronika Kudermetova
• Paula Badosa vs. Leylah Fernandez
• Lesia Tsurenko vs. Ons Jabeur

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