MIAMI, (Reuters) – Belarussian Victoria Azarenka produced some sparkling tennis to defeat world number two Kim Clijsters in the quarter-finals of the Sony Ericsson Open yesterday.
Azarenka, whose career breakthrough came with her win here at Key Biscayne in 2009, ran out 6-3 6-3 winner against the 2010 champion Clijsters.
The eighth-ranked Azarenka took full advantage of a below-par display from Clijsters who made 44 unforced errors.
Azarenka will face Russian world number three Vera Zvonareva in the semi-finals on Thursday after she enjoyed a 7-5 6-3 win over Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska.
The Russian took advantage of some mediocre serves from her opponent to go up 6-5 in the first set and although Radwanska rallied in the next game to go up 30-0 against serve, Zvonareva regained her composure to wrap up the first set.
It was easier going in the second and the Russian finished off the ninth-seeded Radwanska with a perfect passing shot down the left.
Russian Maria Sharapova will face emerging German talent Andrea Petkovic in today’s other semi-final.
