Victoria Azarenka's racquets and luggage were miles from Budapest for most of the week. The Belarusian's baseline aggression went AWOL for a while today, but determination never deserted her.
Contesting her first Fed Cup match in nearly four years, Azarenka fought back from a 0-3 third-set deficit subduing Tsvetana Pironkova, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5.
Withstanding that tough test set off this celebration.
"It was a tough battle,” Azarenka told Fed Cup.com. “I feel I could have played better and a little bit more consistently, especially in the second set, but a win is a win and I'm proud of that."
Separated by just one spot in the rankings, the pair both had chances in tense decisive set. The 50th-ranked Pironkova was up 4-3 when she missed a fairly routine forehand volley that would prove costly.
“There are no easy matches here, especially playing in the No. 1 spot," Azarenka said. "The quality of the tennis is really high. I think we are giving ourselves the best chance possible and I just want to ensure we have the same team spirit that we have found.
The long journey back to Fed Cup competition came after her racquets and luggage went through an adventure. Azarenka arrived in Budapest for the Group I Europe/Africa round robin event, but her bags were not nearly as fortunate.
The former world No. 1 said Air France lost her luggage and racquet bag.
When player and racquets were reunited it looked like Vika did not want to let go of her on-court ally.
You can understand why Azarenka is reluctant to release her grip. She sat out practice earlier in this week waiting for the sticks to show up.
After a three-day journey, chronicled by tweeted updates, player and racquets were finally reunited.
Air France returned the love right back to the Belarusian baseliner.