Victoria Azarenka makes loud statement at Melbourne Park as she knocks out Wozniacki

The fluorescent yellow outfit Victoria Azarenka wore as she dismantled Caroline Wozniacki at the Australian Open on Thursday was a one-word fashion statement – loud.

A defiantly single-tone ensemble matching a skirt with a long-sleeve top, Azarenka made a huge impression on social media even before a racket was swung at Margaret Court Arena.

Though the look was polarising, Azarenka’s game was anything but. The universal verdict after her 6-4, 6-2 win over the eighth-seeded Dane was that the Belarusian was back, and back in a big way.

Unseeded, undercooked but under no pressure, Azarenka dictated play like a traffic cop in a high-visibility suit.

The night was not overly cool, but the long sleeves stayed on as if the former world number one had hardly raised a sweat in the 98-minute clash.

It was tempting to link Azarenka’s performance with the stunning colour of her clothes and the Belarusian agreed she was out to make impressions.

“That’s the key. That’s the whole point, the outfit,” she smiled as she spoke to reporters, wearing a still-loud pair of leggings and a "trucker’s cap" perched backwards on her head.

“I didn’t take off my outfit, so the energy and intensity stayed there with the outfit. But really, that’s how I play. I try to imply that intensity. I play aggressive. I think that’s one of my trademarks. Not the outfit, but the intensity.”

Azarenka played less than 30 matches through an injury-blighted last year, but appears hungry for another five at Melbourne Park, where she reigned supreme in 2012 and 2013.

Having mowed through her opening matches against American Sloane Stephens and Wozniacki, she next plays a very winnable match against Czech 25th seed Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova.

The chance of a potentially mouthwatering clash against last year’s finalist Dominika Cibulkova follows.

After finishing off Wozniacki, she clenched her fist, gritted her teeth and held a steely gaze at her player’s box.

She said felt the love for Melbourne Park flowing through her.

“I love the energy of people here. Really, I think the whole country is like sport nation,” she said.

“I guess I’m going to adopt an Aussie kid or something like that.”

In other matches, Venus Williams joined her sister in the third round with a 6-2, 6-3 win over fellow American Lauren Davis. Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova beat Mona Barthel 6-2, 6-4 and next faces Madison Keys, who rallied for a three-set win over No 29 Casey Dellacqua.

No 11 Dominika Cibulkova, the last year finalist, No 19 Alize Cornet and No 24 Garbine Muguruza also advanced.

Novak Djokovic advanced with a 6-0, 6-1, 6-4 win over No 88-ranked Andrey Kuznetsov in 84 minutes.

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka, who ended four-time champion Djokovic’s 25-match winning streak at Melbourne Park in the quarter-finals last year, had a tougher 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 win over No 194-ranked qualifier Marius Copil.

“I don’t compare from last year to this year. Just a new grand slam,” said Wawrinka, who is defending a grand slam title for the first time. “It’s been two matches now. Going to be ready now for the next one.”

Wimbledon semi-finalist Milos Raonic had a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 win against Donald Young and next plays Benjamin Becker, who came back from two sets down to end former No 1-ranked Lleyton Hewitt’s 19th consecutive run at the Australian Open.

US Open finalist Kei Nishikori beat Ivan Dodig 4-6, 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (0), moving into the third round along with No 9 David Ferrer, No 12 Feliciano Lopez, No 18 Gilles Simon, No 19 John Isner and No 31 Fernando Verdasco.

Jerzy Janowicz rallied for a 6-4, 1-6, 6-7 (7-3), 6-3, 6-3 win over No 17 Gael Monfils.