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For a change, Azarenka, who has four wins and 17 defeats against Williams, is a step ahead of the American having given birth to son Leo in December  — a day, she says, represented a “180 degree” turn in her life. 

“First of all I was so happy when Serena said she was pregnant but when I first heard I thought, ‘Oh my God, I’ll never have the chance to play against her again.’ I was a little sad,” Azarenka said. 

“But it’s incredible that she’s coming back and I know that hopefully we’ll face each other more times.” Azarenka, 27, has always been one of the most ferocious competitors on the women’s circuit.

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