Makarova Beats Azarenka to Reach First Grand Slam Semifinal
Two-time US Open finalist Victoria Azarenka will not have a chance to reach her third straight title match as the Belarus native fell to 17th seeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the quarterfinals 6-4, 6-2 early Wednesday.
The Russian now enters her first ever Grand Slam semifinal, and will meet the winner of two-time defending champion Serena Williams and Italian Flavia Pennetta.
''I'm feeling amazing,'' said an ecstatic Makarova after the match. ''Finally I'm in a semifinal.''
After the two exchanged holds through the first nine games, Makarova broke Azarenka in the 10th game to take a 5-4 lead and had the chance to serve out the set. She did just that and took a one set to none advantage.
At 2-2 in the second frame, Makarova pulled away for good. She picked up two more break points on her way to winning the final four games of the match, cruising to the straight-set victory.
Azarenka emphatically smashed one of her rackets after an unforced error gave Makarova a break point and a 4-2 second set lead. Azarenka had dropped the opening set to Krunic in a before winning the final two sets in a fourth-round match Monday, but couldn’t overcome the deficit to the 26-year old Russian.
Makarova has not lost a set all-tournament long, and is also playing in the semifinals of the doubles tournament after her and partner Elena Vesnina knocked off the Williams sisters on Tuesday.
There is one more semifinal spot available in the women’s draw now, and it will be decided after top-seeded Williams and 11th seeded Pennetta meet tonight at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
