Azarenka in another semifinal for the first time in 10 years

Twice australian open Champion Victoria Azarenka is through to another semifinal Down Under for the first time in 10 years. Azarenka defeated top seed Jessica Pegula 6-4, 6-1, in one hour and 37 minutes.

The former World No.1 was the quickest and took a 3-0 lead within 13 minutes of the first set before No.3 seed Pegula in Melbourne came on the board.

Azarenka hit 17 game winners but committed just 20 unforced errors compared to Pegula’s 31 and earned 74 points to 54 for her opponent. After winning in 2012 and 2013, this is the first time he has reached the semifinals of his favorite tournament.

During the on-court interview, Azarenka revealed: “It hurts to beat her, I always want her to do well. At the same time, he knew that he had to play his best. She has been amazing, so consistent.

“I knew from the first moment that I had to bring him in, take advantage of my opportunities. I am very proud that I executed my game plan very well. It’s amazing to be in the semifinals of another Grand Slam,” added Azarenka, 33.

Pegula, who was in the midst of an eight-match winning streak, praised her more experienced opponent, stating that the two-time champion was consistently one step ahead of her throughout the competition.

“Hitting the ball deep, taking it early, changing the direction of the ball, doing things that I generally like to do to people,” Pegula told WTA Insider.

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“She was doing well. [She] made it hard for me to feel like i could really push her [and] I felt like he was constantly putting pressure on me all the time.”

Her opponent in the semifinals will be reigning Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who defeated Jelena Ostapenko 6-2, 6-4, in 79 minutes.