March 15, 2012 | By Long Island Tennis Magazine Staff
Women’s number one-ranked Victoria Azarenka of Belarus defeated the fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska, 6-0, 6-2 in just over an hour to tie Serena Williams’ 2003 record of 21-0 to start a season and advance to the semifinals of the 2012 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. Azarenka has won three titles to date in 2012, and is looking to improve upon her 21-0 mark as she goes for the women’s record of 37-0, a record set by Martina Hingis in 1997. All four of Radwanska’s losses this year have been to Azarenka, including a straight-set defeat last month in Doha when Azarenka injured her ankle.
“I was executing my shots brilliantly,” said Azarenka, the 2012 Australian Open winner.
Azarenka will next face 18th-seeded Angelique Kerber of Germany, a 6-4, 6-2 upset winner over world number eight-ranked and reigning French Open champion Li Na of China.
"I felt very good out there and I started very well, but she was also playing tough," said Kerber. "I just tried to move very good and hit the balls deep in the court and also play aggressive tennis, focusing on me. I’m happy that I’m in the semis now."
