Stanford, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - American Venus Williams spoiled Victoria Azarenka's 25th birthday Thursday by beating the Belarusian in the second round at the Bank of the West Classic, a U.S. Open Series tennis event.
Williams beat Azarenka, the No. 4 seed, by a 6-4, 7-6 (7-1) score on the hardcourts at Taube Family Tennis Center. The former top-ranked Williams titled here in 2000 and 2002 and is a five-time Stanford runner-up.
Williams improved to 4-0 lifetime against Azarenka, who titled here in 2010.
Next up for Williams is No. 8 seed Andrea Petkovic, who won her second round match on Wednesday.
Third seed Angelique Kerber moved into the quarterfinals with a 7-6 (7-4), 0-6, 6-2 victory over Coco Vandeweghe.
Next up for Kerber is rising 20-year-old Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, who grounded aging Slovakian Daniela Hantuchova 6-4, 6-4 to reach her seventh quarterfinal of the year.
Ana Ivanovic handled Carol Zhao 6-1, 6-1 on Thursday. The fifth-seeded Serb will face Serena Williams on Friday.
The 2014 Stanford champion will claim $120,000.
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