Victoria Azarenka said the prospect of winning a third straight Australian Open title was an inspiration, not a pressure, after booking her place in the third round on Thursday.
Playing under the roof on Rod Laver Arena, the Belarussian saw off Czech Barbora Zahlavova Strycova 6-1, 6-4.
"I don't think I feel pressure," the number two seed told reporters.
"I like pressure because I think it motivates you to be better.’’ "I know that I won here twice before but this is completely a new year for me and I always take it one at a time.’’
"I know it's a long road where I only just played the second round. I just really want to focus on one game at a time."
Azarenka admitted she struggled in the second set to deal with an opponent who rushed to the net at every opportunity.’’
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