Azarenka beats Cornet to advance to 3rd round in Madrid

MADRID (AP) Fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka continued her fine form, beating Alize Cornet 6-3, 6-2 to win her 16th straight match and advance to the third round of the Madrid Masters on Monday.

Azarenka, seeking her third consecutive title, broke Cornet's serve five times to secure the victory. The fifth-ranked Belarusian saved seven of the eight break points she conceded to the Frenchwoman.

Azarenka has not lost since the second round at Acapulco in February. The two-time Australian Open champion won tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami heading into Madrid.

The 48th-ranked Cornet has failed to advance past the second round in her last five tournaments since winning at Hobart in January.

Azarenka next faces 130th-ranked American Louisa Chirico, a qualifier who upset 14th-seeded Ana Ivanovic 5-7, 6-1, 6-3.