She was unlucky that it didn’t go her way but she put on one hell of a show.

In the dusk of London last night, Victoria Azarenka narrowly lost to Elina Svitolina for a place in the women’s quarter finals of Wimbledon.

Svitolina won 6-2 4-6 7-6 (10-8 tie break) in one of the best matches so far this year at Wimbledon.

It was epic.

“Vika”, a former number one has still got what it takes to challenge any of the top women on the circuit and must take heart from this performance.

Raising her little boy, now settled and getting to the business end of major tournaments, she still has a lot to prove.

Now 33, her experience and enduring athleticism can serve her well.

It is a shame that this match will be remembered for Svitolina’s decision not to shake her hand at the end of the match.

That’s the ugliness of war and what it does to people.

But it said a lot about Azarenka’s character that she sent a little gesture of acknowledgement to Svitolina as she walked to her chair.

Svitolina made it clear that she would not be shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian opponents. Victoria Azarenka is from Belarus.

Rather than come to the net and shake hands as it is done traditionally, Azarenka chose not to be embarrassed. You can’t blame her.

For this she was booed by the Wimbledon crowd.

That was unfair and uncalled for.

It didn’t seem to bother “Vika” who raised her hands to the crowd and gamely moved forward.

You go girl!.

Azarenka scratched her doubles match today, probably not wanting to face the media hoopla but it is hoped that she will have a good hard court season.

She is a three-time major finalist at the U.S. Open going up against Naomi Osaka in 2020.

Currently ranked 20, she should be making a push to break into the Top 10 and still has the game to do so. She still has one of the best backhands on the women’s tour.

Svitolina had never beaten her before and “ Vika” came close to remaining unbeaten by the Ukrainian.

Azerenka has won 34 WTA tournaments including 2 Grand Slams.

There is still a Grand Slam in her.

You can be sure her good friend Serena Williams has her back.