Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka has turned again the clock to stun world No.3 Jessica Pegula in straight units and attain her third Melbourne Park semi-final.
Azarenka, the 2012 and 2013 Open champion, defeated shut good friend Pegula 6-4 6-1 to succeed in the ultimate 4 in Melbourne for the primary time since sealing back-to-back triumphs 10 years in the past.
The No.24 seed, who can be a three-time US Open finalist, teed up a tantalising conflict with Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who earlier simply accounted for Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-4.
“It hurts to beat her (Pegula) because I always want her to do well,” Azarenka mentioned.
“She’s been playing amazing, very consistent and I knew from the first point I had to bring it.
“I simply needed to attempt to keep there, take alternatives as a result of she was going to take every part if I do not attempt to win myself. I’m very proud that I executed my recreation plan very well.
“It’s so amazing to be in the semi-final of another grand slam.”
Plenty 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 prime 4 seeds – Iga Swiatek, Ons Jabeur, Pegula and Caroline Garcia – have failed to succeed in 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 going through Azarenka and had appeared primed to kick on and attain a semi-final at a slam for the primary time.
But 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 3-0 lead within the first set however struggled to shut it out, requiring 5 set factors throughout three video games to say it as Pegula discovered a foothold within the match.
But the Belarusian wanted simply 33 minutes to cruise by way of the second set and seal an in the end comfy victory.
