Azarenka thrashes Ivanovic

REUTERS

World number two Victoria Azarenka crushed Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-0 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

LONDON – World number two Victoria Azarenka crushed Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-0 to reach the Wimbledon quarter-finals on Monday after being showered by pigeon feathers unexpectedly falling from the Centre Court roof.

The Belarusian admitted she was mystified when the first feather dropped onto the court towards the conclusion of the match.

That turned to concern when even more floated down from above.

“I just saw some feathers coming down. Actually, I don't know how they got there as the roof was closed. It was kind of interesting,” said the 22-year-old, who picked up the feathers and dropped them at the side.

“I really wasn't focused on that. It was not my concern.”

Azarenka, whose loud on-court grunting has often been criticised for putting opponents off their stride, said she tried not to let such things distract her.

“Sometimes it can be annoying when somebody is chewing chips right when you're serving,” she said.

“Doesn't really matter. You just have to stay focused on your game. Whatever is going on around is going on around. It's out of your hands. But the feathers, it was fun.” – Sapa-AFP