World number three Victoria Azarenka has booked her placed for the first time at the Roland Garros semifinals after beating Maria Kirilenko of Russia 7-6, 6-2. This means that Azarenka has been to the semifinals or better of all the Grand Slam events. Though not touted as the heavy favorite at this claycourt Slam event, Azarenka lived up to her seeding and made it to the final four. The Belarussian successfully defended the Australian Open last January and could clinch her third Grand Slam this weekend.
“In the first set I wasn’t that committed to my shots, especially at the beginning. And I feel like Maria has improved so much, so I just really had to start taking my opportunities more. One or two points really decided the first set, especially in the beginning of the tie-break – the way I started was really dominant. I think that’s really how I was supposed to play the entire match, to be honest.
“After that, that’s what I kept trying to apply,” she added.
As for her first French Open semifinal achievement, Azarenka said:
“I’m very happy that I could finally pass this stage on my third attempt. Maria is such a great competitor, and I couldn’t be happier to go into my first semifinal here in Paris.”
Despite the loss, Kirilenko still has something to smile about. With her quarterfinal finish at Roland Garros, she’s guaranteed to make her debut in the world’s top ten next week.
