Victoria Azarenka Overcomes Migraine to Advance in U.S. Open

Victoria Azarenka battled through a migraine during her U.S. Open match against Clara Burel but secured a 6-1 6-4 victory to move into the third round. Despite struggling with harsh lights and needing medication, Azarenka managed to regain control and win the match. She will next face Wang Yafan of China.

Victoria Azarenka battled through a migraine during her U.S. Open match against Clara Burel, yet she secured a 6-1 6-4 victory to advance to the third round on Wednesday.

The former world number one took the opening set comfortably despite being in cruise control. However, in the second set, she found herself 3-1 down, struggling with the harsh lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

In tears and visibly distressed, Azarenka called for medical assistance during a nearly five-minute stoppage. The Belarusian received medication and her opponent, Burel, faltered after the restart, making multiple errors that allowed Azarenka to win four consecutive games to take the match.

Post-match, Azarenka explained, "I'm wearing glasses for a reason right now. It looks probably weird and awkward on TV. But I have a chronic migraine sometimes and it couldn't be a worse time to start it, on the match. It's just tough to deal with."

Next, the 20th seed will face China's Wang Yafan.

(With inputs from agencies.)