WTA US Open 2011 Preview: Victoria Azarenka vs. Johanna Larsson

Victoria Azarenka will begin at the U.S Open on Tuesday with a first round clash against Johanna Larsson of Sweden.

World No. 5 Victoria Azarenka has been in superb form throughout 2011, and she’s considered to be in with an outside chance of winning this year’s U.S Open. The Belarusian has won two titles already this year, and has lost in all of this season’s slams to an eventual finalist. On two of these occasions her opponent has turned out to be the eventual tournament winner. Azarenka has won more than three times as many matches as she’s lost this season, and it seems like she’s got the potential to compete in a final herself. She appeared to be on course at Wimbledon, and her form hasn’t dipped since then. Things look good for Azarenka right now, but a potential third round showdown against Serena Williams looms on the horizon here.

Azarenka will be looking for a solid start in New York on Tuesday when she takes on Johanna Larsson in round one. Larsson hasn’t had a bad season by any means, but she’s not been in the same league as Azarenka this year. Azarenka should be able to get through this matchup in straight sets.