Azarenka beats Cibulkova at Key Biscayne

Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka lost 10 of the first 11 games, then rallied to remain unbeaten this year by beating Dominika Cibulkova 1-6, 7-6 (7), 7-5 Monday in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open.

Azarenka won her 26th consecutive match, a streak that began at the start of this year. Her start is the best on the women's tour since Martina Hingis went 37-0 to begin 1997.

In the second set, Azarenka fell behind 4-love. She found herself two points from defeat five times but swept the last three games and converted the first match point when Cibulkova sailed a passing shot long.

Azarenka has won her four previous tournaments this year, including the Australian Open for her first Grand Slam title. She seeks her third Key Biscayne title.