Convincing win for Azarenka

World number one Victoria Azarenka continued her smooth progress though the US Open draw with a 6-2 6-2 victory over qualifier Kirsten Flipkens.

It was not quite as straightforward as the scoreline suggests, with many of the games close, but in the end Azarenka was too powerful and too consistent for her opponent.

A break in the third game of the match set Azarenka on her way, and although Flipkens briefly threatened a revival at the start of the second set, it was not to be. Azarenka clenched her fist as she broke once more to lead 5-2 and then served out victory after an hour and five minutes.

The Belarusian is looking for her second grand slam title of the year after winning the Australian Open in January, and she next faces Chinese 28th seed Zheng Jie, a 6-3 6-1 winner over Magdalena Rybarikova.