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By Mike Dickson in New York
Collapsing: Victoria Azarenka slumps to the ground at Flushing MeadowsThe 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.
For world No 11 Azarenka, the promise of cooler weather and a possible washout on Friday will come too late as she succumbed to a problem that has affected her before.
Last year, when playing Serena Williams at the Australian Open, she retired due to similar difficulties.
Receiving attention: A trainer rushed to assist Azarenka Azarenka, who actually lives in the Arizona desert, had received some treatment for an arm problem following the third game, and she looked slightly uneasy after that
before falling to the floor shortly afterwards. She was taken to hospital for observation.
Azarenka is tended to by medical personnel after collapsingThere were no such issues for Ana Ivanovic, who dismissed 21st seed Zheng Jie 6-3, 6-0. Her two-year slump might be coming to an end.
Leaving court: Azarenka is taken off in a wheelchair source: dailymail
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