Svetlana Kuznetsova’s countrywoman, Maria Sharapova, has been defeated by Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the semi final of the US Open at the Flushing Meadows. With this victory, Azarenka has qualified for the finals. The Belarusian player had to work hard for this victory. She was under huge pressure after losing the first set, but, after that, she played some high quality tennis and stunned Sharapova. Azarenka won the match by 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Sharapova, who was given the third seed in the competition, was off to a flyer in the first set. She broke the service of her opponent in the second game and win the first three games in a row to make the score 3-0. The next five games went with the serve and the score card was saying 5-3 in the favour of Sharapova at the end of the eighth game. Azarenka had to prevent Sharapova from holding her service in the ninth game to extend the set. But, Sharapova was in a mood of finishing the set quickly. She served out the ninth game easily and won the first set by 6-3.
In the second set, Azarenka looked a different player. She was playing her shots more fluently. She got ahead in the second set by 3-1. She got this lead by breaking Sharapova’s service in the third game and then, serving out the next game. Both the players held their service in the next two games. Azarenka got the second breakthrough of the set in the seventh game. She didn’t have any problem in holding her service in the next game and thus, winning the set.
In the third and final set, both the players played well and didn’t give each other many opportunities. Sharapova didn’t get any breakpoint; while, Azarenka got only one breakpoint which she latched on to take a lead in the set. She maintained her lead till the end of the match and won the match. In the final match, Azarenka will play against the American superstar Serena Williams.