- Two-times Open champion beats third seed 6-4, 6-1
- Winner will face Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina
As Victoria Azarenka bear down one of the most significant victories of the past decade of her career, her stratospheric level provided a reminder of why she has achieved so much. Azarenka prowled inside the baseline, relentlessly taking the ball early and she imposed incessant, suffocating pressure. Her unyielding intensity resulted in an enormous win as the two-times Australian Open champion toppled Jessica Pegula, the third seed, 6-4, 6-1 to return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2013.
“I knew I have to play fast, I have to not give her opportunity to step in, I have to mix it up,” she said. “I felt like I did some interesting slices. You know what, I was like: ‘You’re doing the right thing. Even if it looks like crap, it’s fine. It’s the right way to do it.’”