After maternity leave, Victoria Azarenka is back in full swing at Wimbledon

Players coming off injury layoffs have had a rough go at Wimbledon, but coming off maternity leave, Victoria Azarenka is in-form.

After maternity leave, Victoria Azarenka is back in full swing at Wimbledon

It's been a rough event for players returning from injury. Madison Keys (wrist) was bounced in round two, struggling through a three-setter again Camila Giorgi. Madison Brengle snuffed out The Great Petra Kvitova (hand) Comeback Story. Juan Martin del Potro (wrist) beat Thanasi Kokkanakis (shoulder)—and then del Potro lost.

But for the player coming off a maternity leave, it’s been a dazzling event so far. Victoria Azarenka is into Week Two with her familiar blend of power and poise. Mama’s got a brand new bag. On Friday she simply outfought Heather Watson, winning a three-setter and setting up a tasty Monday showdown against Simona Halep.

Snapshots from Day 5

Wimbledon 2017 Day 5

Victoria Azarenka

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Caroline Garcia

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Roberto Bautista Agut

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Kei Nishikori

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Gilles Muller

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Ana Konjuh

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Heather Watson

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Roberto Bautista Agut

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Simona Halep

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Elina Svitolina

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Rafael Nadal

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Maria Sakkari

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Johanna Konta

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Jelena Ostapenko

Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Venus Williams

Julian Finney/Getty Images

Andy Murray

Michael Steele/Getty Images

Naomi Osaka

Julian Finney/Getty Images

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Published Jul 7, 2017 | Modified Jul 7, 2017

Jon Wertheim

Jon Wertheim is a senior writer for Sports Illustrated and has been part of the full-time SI writing staff since 1997, largely focusing on the tennis beat, sports business and social issues, and enterprise journalism. In addition to his work at SI, he is a correspondent for “60 Minutes” and a commentator for The Tennis Channel. He has authored 11 books and has been honored with two Emmys, numerous writing and investigative journalism awards, and the Eugene Scott Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Wertheim is a longtime member of the New York Bar Association (retired), the International Tennis Writers Association and the Writers Guild of America. He has a bachelor’s in history from Yale University and received a law degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He resides in New York City and Paris with his wife, who is a divorce mediator and adjunct law professor. They have two children.

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