Azarenka rallies for spot in Madrid semi
MADRID - Agence France-Presse
Azarenka advanced to the Madrid Masters semifinals after beating Li Na. AP photo
Top seed Victoria Azarenka saw off China’s Li Na wih a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 battling win into the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters on May 11.Azarenka, January’s Australian Open champion, levelled her record against Roland Garrrls holder Li at 4-4 with the victory.
Eighth seed Li, still looking for her first title of the season, lost for the seventh time in 2012 against 18 wins. She was playing her second clay quarterfinal after Stuttgart.
Serena Williams won a battle of former number one players as she defeated second seed Maria Sharapova, the Stuttgart champion over Azarenka, 6-1, 6-3 with 11 aces, 28 winners and five breaks of serve in 80 minutes.
Azarenka said that after losing the opening set against Li, she still has no idea how she was able to turn the match around for victory in just under two hours.
“She played unbelievable in the first set,” said the top seed. “I knew I had to do something.”
