WATCH: Victoria Azarenka’s smash HITS a spectator on his head in a separate court at Wimbledon

Azarenka advances to the fourth round of the Championships with a convincing 6-2,6-4 win over Daria Kasatkina

WATCH: Victoria Azarenka’s smash HITS a spectator on his head in a separate court at Wimbledon

Wimbledon (Image via: Wimbledon)

Victoria Azarenka’s rather gentle smash had a bizarre consequence yesterday at Wimbledon. The two-time Grand Slam champion hit a routine shot during her match against Daria Kasatkina, but the ball bounced off the court and hit a spectator on another court.

The Championships at Wimbledon have been held for close to a century and a half, and there have been quite a few oddities over the years. However, a bizarre incident when a smash attempted by a player on one court hit a spectator on another court seems to be unprecedented.

Rain has wrecked havoc all through the first week of this year’s Championships, and even many of the top players like Victoria Azarenka and Daria Kasatkina have been forced to play in relatively modest courts.

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Also read: WATCH: Andy Murray breaks down in front of Wimbledon press after being told he was DENIED a clean point against Stefanos Tsitsipas

Azarenka’s smash nearly knocks sunglasses off spectator’s head

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Victoria Azarenka (Image Courtesy: The Telegraph)

The match between former World No.1, Victoria Azarenka, and 11th seed Daria Kasatkina, was played at Court 12, viz, a relatively smaller court with limited capacity to accommodate fans. The Belarusian, wrapped up the first set 6-2 in quick time. The score was tied at 40-all on Azarenka’s serve at 1-1 in the second set when the seemingly comical situation occurred.

Approaching the net, Azarenka wanted to make sure that the ball was beyond the reach of her opponent so that they could not put it back across the court. The ball bounced off the court, up and over the rather short fence, and hit an innocuous spectator on the back of his head, nearly knocking his sunglasses off. The fan looked perplexed, but he quickly turned around and realized what had happened. Luckily, all was well, and play resumed without any stoppage.

The 33-year-old, went on to win the match 6-2, 6-4 to book her place in the Round of 16. She is also scheduled to compete in doubles action, partnering Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia.

Azarenka, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon twice (2011 and 2012), will go up against Ukrainian wildcard Elena Svitolina in what is surely expected to be a feisty contest.

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