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Tuesday, January 26, 2016, Magh 13, 1422 BS, Rabius Sani 14, 1437 Hijri


Azarenka surges into Kerber quarter-final
Published :Tuesday, 26 January, 2016,  Time : 12:00 AM  View Count : 19

Melbourne, Jan 25: Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka tamed Barbora Strycova to surge into an Australian Open quarter-final against Angelique Kerber on Monday with a disciplined straight-sets win.
The former world number one, seeded 14, was too strong for the Czech, winning 6-2, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena to set up a last-eight clash with seventh seed Kerber, who beat fellow German Annika Beck.
"She is such a tough opponent. I'm just happy I went through. I played smart, aggressive tennis," said Belarus's Azarenka, after being kept on court for one hour, 26 minutes.
"I'm feeling really happy and enjoying myself which helps me physically stay in shape. Barbora really pushed me and I'm happy I could stay focused and composed."
Azarenka, 27, has been in the zone at Melbourne Park, dropping just 11 games in four matches as she zeroes in on another Grand Slam title after battling injuries for the past two years.
She went into the Strycova clash with a clear advantage, whipping her on all four of their previous meetings, including at the last two Australian Opens -- 6-1, 6-4 in 2014 and 6-4, 6-4 a year later.
Melbourne Park has been a happy hunting ground for Azarenka, winning in 2012 and 2013. She has now made the quarters or better five times in her last seven attempts.
Both players held their opening serves before the Belarusian started finding space, creating four break points in the third game, but Strycova fended them off and held on.
It was only a temporary reprieve as Azarenka went on the attack with some piercing groundstrokes, giving her the first break of the match to pull 3-2 clear.    ?AFP









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