Azarenka stomps Tan at Silicon Valley Classic

[July 31, 2019]    (Reuters) - Former world number one Victoria Azarenka overpowered tournament qualifier Harmony Tan 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round of the Silicon Valley Classic in Northern California on Tuesday.

Belarus' Victoria Azarenka celebrates during her first round match against France's Alize Cornet REUTERS/Hannah McKay

The Belarusian converted seven of her 12 break point opportunities to advance to the second round, where she will face fifth-seeded Donna Vekic of Croatia.

American Danielle Collins came out ahead in a marathon 6-4 5-7 6-2 battle with China's Zhang Shuai on a sun-soaked afternoon on the campus of San Jose State University.

The rising 25-year-old University of Virginia product said her conditioning was the difference in her first-round match.

"I think I did a really great job making it physical," Collins said.

"I've been working a lot on my fitness the last couple weeks after Wimbledon. I've had a good couple weeks of training and I think it paid off today."

Collins will next face Zheng Saisai after the Chinese defeated Britton Heather Watson 6-3 6-1 in their first-round match.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll; Editing by Amlan Chakraborty)

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