Williams, seeking to complete the self-styled “Serena slam” of holding all four majors for the second time in her career, overcame the former top-ranked Belarusian 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 on Centre Court Tuesday.
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Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts after winning the first set during her match against Serena Williams of the USA at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London.
On a day when world no. 1 Novak Djokovic came through in a fourth round blockbuster, his counterpart, Serena Williams nearly did the same as she defeated Victoria Azarenka in their quarter-final match.
Her pursuit of the Grand Slam has been one of the stories of Wimbledon since play began last week, even if Serena has (politely) insisted she won’t talk about it anymore.
“I haven’t seen her play like this, honestly”, said Azarenka, who has lost 17 of 20 matches against Williams and all 10 meetings at majors, including after leading by a set and a break at the French Open in May. “What she said, I’m not going to argue against her words”, she said.
Rumoured love interest, American rapper Drake was sat neatly behind the players’ box as Williams produced her now-customary comeback victory.
The 20th-seeded Spaniard, who reached the quarterfinals at the last two French Opens, advanced Tuesday by beating Timea Bacsinszky of Switzerland 7-5, 6-3 on Court 1.
The standard of hitting was remarkable, each putting the other under huge pressure on serve early in the second.
“When we’re off the court, she’s Serena, my sister”, Venus said.
Being the current reigning champion of the prestigious tournament, Serena’s most recent triumph might not come as a surprise – as she is arguably the most legendary female tennis player to ever exist.
American youngster Madison Keys was unable to unlock the defences of 2012 runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska, though, losing 7-6(3) 3-6 6-3 with the Pole now facing Muguruza.
“It’s been up and down, up and down, but somehow I’m still alive”.
The 33-year-old American battled back from a set down to progress to the last four at the expense of Victoria Azarenka on Centre Court on Tuesday.
Wimbledon 2015 women’s quarterfinals match is going to be one of the toughest in the tournament. Sharapova is winning at least 72 percent of her first serve points and 29 percent of her second serve points.
Azarenka fought off three break points in game four, Williams then saved herself with a big serve and a backhand in game five. He will next face Croatia’s Marin Cilic, a player he has beaten in all 12 of their previous matches. She had to save three break points in the third game but could not save the two she handed up in the fifth, and Williams had the glimmer of a chance she needed. Both are playing in the Wimbledon quarterfinals for the first time.
Azarenka seems to be worried about the past record and Williams’ great form.
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She smiled as she spoke and absolutely no one believed her. She is two matches away writing another chapter in the history book and nine matches away from rewriting the history book entirely. “That would be an incredible moment for me to step out on Centre Court against her again”. From there, Williams stepped up her game and took control, running off seven straight games to go up 3-0 in the third. Djokovic and Anderson split the opening two sets on Monday before play was suspended by darkness.
