Western e Southern Open: Victoria Azarenka sets up Johanna Konta SF showdown

Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta will play each other for a place in the Western & Southern Open semi-finals.

The Belarusian, who has been finding form all through this week in New York, won her quarter-final against Tunisia’s Ons Jabeur 7-6(9), 6-2 in an hour and 44 minutes. It was the first meeting between the duo. This is Azarenka’s first semi-final in the tournament since her title-run in 2013.

Post-match, Azarenka acknowledged, “I think what was challenging today was that I was playing against her for the first time. Other opponents, I have played before, so it was a little bit more familiar. The beginning was a little bit tough for me. I felt like I was getting bullets out of my behind for a few times, and then I kind of got into the ball. I was surprised but in a good way by her pace. She's very, very talented. I have obviously seen her play, but, you know, standing on the other side was different. So, I definitely admire her talent, and it was surprising in a good way. I mean, in a bad way for me, but I'm saying it with a compliment.”

Western & Southern Open: Jo Konta downs giant-upsetter Maria Sakkari

The former world no. 1 who reunited with former coach Sam Sumyk ahead of the tournament will take on the Briton, who has had a new coaching engagement of her own in Thomas Hogstedt.

The eighth seed took down Greece’s 13th seed Maria Sakkari who had upset Serena Williams in the round-of-16. Konta also clinched a straight-sets 6-4, 6-3 win after 92 minutes of play.

“I think I was able to stay tough at certain bits in the match, which I think helped me edge forward in trying to get a foothold in the match… Overall, (I am) just pleased the way I competed. I thought I served again better and better as the match went on, I thought, and just overall I thought it was actually some good tennis out there,” she said, while speaking to the media after her win.

Photo Credit: Western & Southern Open Twitter

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