Victoria Azarenka Top Female Tennis Player Photos Gallery

The heatwave affecting America’s East Coast claimed its first casualty at the US Open on Wednesday when 10th seed Victoria Azarenka departed the tournament in a wheelchair after collapsing on court.

The 21-year-old from Belarus, one of many credible outside bets for the women’s title, keeled over when trailing Argentina’s Gisela Dulko 5-1 in their first round match as
temperatures again came close to three figures.

Eighth-seeded wildcard Victoria Azarenka registered a convincing 6-4, 6-1 win over fifth-seeded Maria Sharapova on Sunday afternoon to capture the singles title at the 2010 Bank of the West Classic.

Azarenka claimed her fourth career singles title- all on hard court- while becoming the fifth different Bank of the West Classic singles champion in the last five years. With the win, she improves to 4-6 in 10 career finals. Azarenka, who celebrated her 21st birthday yesterday, is projected to rise to No. 12 in the Monday’s new Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles rankings after winning the title.

A quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open suggested she meant business, but since then only a final appearance in Dubai is worth mentioning.

The 20-year-old split with long-time coach Antonio Van Grichen and her game has unravelled several times this year, revealing her fiery temper.

Possessing one of the best two-handed backhands in the game, as well as one of the loudest grunts, the American-based star has the ability to go deep in a major, but a first-round exit in Paris has summed up her current slump.

A good draw is imperative to her chances of reaching the second week at Wimbledon and current form suggests Azarenka is a long shot for the title.