Belarussian world number two Victoria Azarenka booked her placed in the semifinals of the US Open 2013 Tennis Championships on Wednesday night after defeating Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets 6-2, 6-3. The match lasted an hour and 16 minutes.
“It was a little bit tricky with the wind, and Daniela is the kind of player who doesn’t give you rhythm, so you have to try to make it happen in one or two shots in the beginning,” Azarenka said. “There weren’t many long rallies, which can make it difficult to get into the match, but I felt like I was really good in the important moments. I raised my level when I needed to, which was the key to this match.”
Hantuchova couldn’t help but express her disappointment for the loss.
“I was trying everything, but it was just not going my way,” Hantuchova said. “I didn’t feel like I played my best tennis today, which is unfortunate, because I had many chances and didn’t hold my serves when I needed to. Throughout the whole tournament my serve was working great, just not tonight.
“I’m very disappointed with the performance, because I know what I can do and how I can play. I was going into the match feeling confident about my chances, but it just didn’t work out for me today.”
Up next for Azarenka is Flavia Pennetta of Italy. Pennetta reached her first career Grand Slam semifinal by defeating fellow countrywoman Roberta Vinci. Azarenka and Pennetta have split their prior two meetings.
“First of all, Flavia is such an amazing person,” Azarenka said. “To see her go through the injuries and coming up with the best results she has right now, it’s really amazing. She’s a very good player, an all-around player. She can do anything. She has great touch; great variety; she can create power; create spin. She’s also very experienced and has been in the Top 10, and beaten a lot of Top 10 players.
“Her ranking doesn’t matter. It’s about the moment right now, and she’s playing terrific tennis.”
