Swiss legend Martina Hingis has backed defending Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka to reprise her 'threepeat' feat at the first Grand Slam of the year.
The two-time titleholder, who is the only remaining in the women's to three with the exits of Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams, won her 18th consecutive singles title at Melbourne Park against American Sloane Stephens in 2013.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Hingis, the last woman to complete an Australian Open threepeat, backed the Belarussian to repeat her feat in the tournament, saying that it is possible for a multiple champion to attain success on the court again as it has good memories and feels like home to the player.
Azarenka's next match is Wednesday's quarter-final against either fifth seed Agniezka Radwanska or Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, from a half of the draw completed by 11th seed Simona Halep and No.20 Dominika Cibulkova, the report added.