World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka will start off her 2012 Rogers Cup campaign on Thursday against the rising Austrian Tamira Paszek, who is currently ranked as World No. 43 in the WTA Rankings. Both contenders have been enjoying a decent form of late and we can expect some tremendous tennis action between them on Thursday.

Azarenka made a terrific start to the new season, as she claimed her maiden Grand Slam title by winning the Aussie Open. She has won 4 titles so far in this season and has a stellar 47-6 win-loss record. The Belarusian also won Bronze Medal at London Olympics. Gunning for 13th career title on tour, Azarenka will face her first big test here at Montreal in the form of Paszek, who has been on a rise in the ongoing season.

Currently ranked as World No. 43 in the WTA Rankings, Paszek has a decent 12-15 win-loss record this year so far and she has also won a WTA title earlier this season. The Austrian is gunning for fourth career title.

In head-to-head, Azarenka apparently leads with 3-0 against the Austrian. Last time they met in Wimbledon quarterfinal last month, where the Belarusian topped Paszek in straight sets.