Azarenka Storms Into Miami Semis

BNP Paribas Open champion Victoria Azarenka powered her way into the semifinals of the Miami Open, moving past Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday afternoon.

The opening set saw both players demonstrate their power and big hitting, but it was Azarenka who secured the set’s lone break. While Konta converted 87 percent of her first serves into points, it was her second serve that did her in. The Briton won just 45 percent of the points on her second serve and allowed Azarenka to get the decisive break.

With momentum on her side, Azarenka dominated the second set. She won 17 of her 22 service points and saved both break points she faced, while converting on her two break point chances, to roll in the second set and move into the semifinals.

Azarenka will play the winner of American Madison Keys and second-seeded German Angelique Kerber in the semifinals. She is trying to join Steffi Graf and Kim Clijsters as the only players to win Indian Wells and Key Biscayne in the same year.

“If I’m able to make it, it’s great,” Azarenka said. “It seems so close, but it’s really far. I want to stay in the present. I want to continue to fight and keep getting better.”

The other Miami semifinal will see 15th seed Svetlana Kuznetsova take on 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky.