Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has turned again the clock to stun world No.Three Jessica Pegula in straight units and attain her third Melbourne Park semi-final.
Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 Open champion, defeated shut pal Pegula 6-Four 6-1 to achieve the ultimate 4 in Melbourne for the primary time since sealing back-to-back triumphs 10 years in the past.
The No.24 seed teed up a tantalizing conflict with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who earlier simply accounted for Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4.
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Azarenka’s victory over Pegula was her first at a grand slam over a participant ranked within the high 5 since recording her solely two such wins in 2012.
The Belarusian defeated Maria Sharapova within the Australian Open closing and once more within the US Open semi-finals later that 12 months.
Since then Azarenka misplaced at slams to top-five gamers on 11 events, together with Serena Williams twice within the US Open finals, however her win on Tuesday night time has properly and actually confirmed her standing as a contender in Melbourne.
“It hurts to beat her (Pegula) as a result of I all the time need her to do properly,” Azarenka mentioned.
“She’s been taking part in superb, very constant and I knew from the primary level I needed to convey it.
“I simply needed to attempt to keep there, take alternatives as a result of she was going to take all the things if I do not attempt to win myself.”
“I am very proud that I executed my sport plan very well. It is so superb to be within the semi-final of one other grand slam.”
Loads has modified for Azarenka within the 10 years since her final semi-final in Melbourne – she is now 33 and a mom, however her aggressive baseline play was a reminder of her previous triumphs.
The upset means all the high 4 seeds – Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Pegula and Caroline Garcia – have failed to achieve the semi-finals in Melbourne whereas world No.5 Aryna Sabalenka is the one top-20 participant left.
Pegula, 28, hadn’t dropped a set in Melbourne earlier than dealing with Azarenka and had appeared primed to kick on and attain a semi-final at a slam for the primary time.
However Azarenka labored over the American whereas Pegula struggled to get her serve going as she made a 3rd straight quarter-final exit at Melbourne Park.
Azarenka raced away to a 3-Zero lead within the first set however struggled to shut it out, requiring 5 set factors throughout three video games to assert it as Pegula discovered a foothold within the match.
However the Belarusian wanted simply 33 minutes to cruise by the second set and seal an in the end snug victory.
– with 7NEWS
