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Azarenka eases past Mertens to reach US Open semifinals

Victoria Azarenka. Photo by Xinhua-BelTA

MINSK, 10 September (BelTA) – Belarus Victoria Azarenka (world number 27)  plowed through Belgium's Elise Mertens (world number 18)  in straight sets to reach the semifinals of the US Open on 9 September, BelTA has learned.

The former world number one took a confident win over Elise Mertens to record a 6-1 6-0 victory after 73 minutes.

Victoria Azarenka will renew her rivalry with Serena Williams who battled past Tsvetana Pironkova in her quarterfinal match. Serena Williams defeated Victoria Azarenka in the final of the US Open in 2012 and 2013.

In the other semifinal Naomi Osaka (world number 9) of Japan will face American Jennifer Brady (world number 41) on 10 September.

On her way to the semifinal showdown with Serena Williams Victoria Azarenka cruised past Austria’s world number 139 Barbara Haas 6-1, 6-2, saw off Belarus’ world number 11 Aryna Sabalenka 6-1, 6-3, took a solid win over Poland’s Iga Swiatek, ranked world No.53, 6-4, 6-2 and outlasted Karolina Muchova (world number 26) of the Czech Republic 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.

The US Open in New York, with the total prize pool of $53.4 million, will complete on 13 September.

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