Azaranka starts final WTA tournament in Istanbul with victory

The game lasted for more than three hours. Besides, Victoria played back two match-balls in the second set. 

The Belarusian participated in the final WTA tournament for the fourth time. Her best result was making it to the final in 2011, in which she lost to Petra Kvitova. Azaranka will remain world #1 in case she achieves two victories at the group stage of the tournament in Istanbul.