Victoria Azarenka rolled back her vintage years against Jessica Pegula, dispatching the in form American in straight sets to reach her first Australian Open semifinals since 2013.
Former World No. 1 and two-time Australian Open Champion, Victoria Azarenka rediscovered her vintage years to defeat Jessica Pegula 6-4 6-1 and advance to her first Australian Open semifinal since she won it in 2013.
Azarenka played so well that she was 3-0 up with 6 break points for 4-0. Then 5-2 and 5-3 40-15 on set. She got broken at 5-4, but some vintage play against the No. 3 seed saw her win the first set 6-4 in just 65 minutes.
)
In the second set, Azarenka continued on her momentum going 4-1 up and then sealed the match for 6-1.
The 33-year-old Belarussian has now qualified for her ninth Grand Slam semifinal (three at the Australian Open and US Open, one Roland Garros and two Wimbledon).
)
She will return to the top 20, a top 15 with final, and top 10 with title.
Speaking to Laura Robson on Eurosport "I didn't see myself as the underdog today. I know what I'm capable of," Azarenka said.
The 2012 and 2013 champion will play Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, in an highly anticipated mouthwatering clash.