2023-09-22 06:31:07
Still dominant against her opponent ranked seed N.10, the 29-year-old will face the Greek Maria Sakkari (9th in the world and seed N.2), who beat the Colombian Emiliana Arango (6-3, 6- 4).
Garcia, who is aiming for the 12th title of his career, was able to count on his powerful serve to get the better of Azarenka, hitting ten aces during the match.
The world No. 11 also managed to save no fewer than 11 break points to deprive Azarenka of any opening chance.
“It’s always complicated,” Garcia said after his victory. Azarenka “had a lot of chances to break but I served really well on those points, so I have to thank my serve,” she added.
This victory allows the Frenchwoman to re-enter the Top 10 of the WTA rankings at the end of this tournament.
In another quarter-final, the American Sofia Kenin confirmed her return to favor by dominating the Canadian Leylah Fernandez, finalist of the US Open 2021, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-1, to secure a place in the semi-finals.
The former Australian Open champion (2020), who also reached the semi-finals in San Diego last week, will face her compatriot Caroline Dolehide on Friday, victorious over the Italian Martina Trevisan in three sets (3- 6, 7-6 (11/9) 6-3) after saving four match points against her in the second set.
Kenin, 24, has been gradually climbing up the rankings after falling to 426th in the world last year following a series of injuries and upheavals in her coaching staff.
The American has won 14 of her last 17 meetings on the WTA Tour since July, and is ready to return to the Top 30 after this tournament.
On Thursday, Kenin earned her new semi-final spot the hard way, qualifying despite 14 double faults, with Fernandez hitting 15 aces.
“She started the second round really well and I almost came back, almost won. I was a little frustrated that I lost, but she’s a fighter, so I knew I had to calm down and calm down. beat in the third set,” she commented after the match.
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