Victoria Azarenka AP
BEIJING — Reigning China Open champion Victoria Azarenka crashed out in the first round on Monday as the second seed faced stiff resistance from former finalist Andrea Petkovic.
The Belarusian world number two rarely showed glimpses of the form which helped her claim the title last year, at times appearing sluggish as she committed a staggering 15 double faults in the 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss.
It is the second early exit in a row for the 24-year-old, who complained of feeling ill when she was defeated by Venus Williams in the second round of the Pan Pacific Open last week.
Azarenka appeared agitated in the opening set in Beijing’s National Tennis Center, even before German Petkovic broke her serve following a string of double faults.
The second seed regained her composure in the second set and appeared to be on course for victory when she broke Petkovic at the start of the third set.
However, the 2011 finalist then seized the initiative, claiming victory in two hours and 22 minutes.
China’s Zhang Shuai continued her sizzling form, defeating compatriot Peng Shuai 6-3, 6-3 to set up a second-round match against tenth seed Roberta Vinci.
Wildcard Zhang won her first WTA title in Guangzhou earlier this month.
The 24-year-old recruited her own coach in July, following Chinese star Li Na’s example in leaving the tightly controlled state sports system, raising hopes that she can emulate the success of the 2011 French Open winner.