Victoria Azarenka remains convinced she can challenge for grand slam titles again after pushing defending champion Sloane Stephens in the third round of the US Open.
The two-time former Australian Open winner was a break up in the second set before a short rain break disrupted her momentum and Stephens battled to a 6-3 6-4 triumph under the roof on Arthur Ashe.
Azarenka is projected to climb from 79 in the rankings to just outside the top 60 but that is still a long way away from where she wants to be and where she believes she can get to.
“Trust me, I wouldn’t be sitting here if I didn’t believe that,” she said.
“I would be home doing a bunch of different things and being successful at those things, but I want to do this.”
Azarenka has struggled since returning to the tour full-time in March following the resolution of the custody battle she fought with her former partner over their son, Leo.
The 29-year-old has kept the details private but has hinted at what a toll it took on her. She is now able to travel with Leo, who turns two at the end of the year, but on-court contentment is proving a longer journey.
This has been one of her more impressive tournaments and it was certainly encouraging to see her go toe to toe with Stephens, although too often it was the American who had the final say.
Stephens marries speed and sublime movement with ball-striking few can match and, having seemingly committed fully to her tennis career, it would not be a surprise to see her win more grand slam titles.
Azarenka piled the pressure on in the second set, coming from 3-1 down to lead 4-3 with a break when the rain came. With the roof closed, it was Stephens who managed to get across the line, showing relief and delight in her exuberant celebration.
Azarenka said: “I played OK. It was just a matter of a few points and those points that I still don’t do enough and they cost me the match.
“I played against the number three player in the world with all the chances in the world. That’s a positive. Being excited to play, being excited to fight. Right now it’s all pluses for me. As long as I put in the work in the off-season, I’ll be lights out.”
Stephens next faces Belgium’s Elise Mertens, an Australian Open semi-finalist, who defeated Barbora Strycova 6-3 7-6 (7-4).