Azarenka sets up Stephens semi

VICTORIA Azarenka booked her place in the semi-finals of the Miami Open after edging Karolina Pliskova 7-5 6-3.

The three-time champ got off to a strong start, breaking her opponent twice in the opening set, but the No 5 seed dug deep to take three games in a row and tie the set at 5-5.

From there, Pliskova gifted Azarenka a break after her fourth double fault and, on her fifth set point, Azarenka converted for the early lead.

Pliskova’s problems on her second serve continued in the second set and, despite backand-forth breaks, Azarenka continued to apply the pressure to seal the match.

She said: “It wasn’t easy. Karolina is a very good player. I felt like I had a good lead and I let it go. She really stepped it up so I had to fight back.”

She will now face US Open champion Sloane Stephens, who brushed aside Angelique Kerber in straight sets to advance to her first semi-final place since her victory in New York

The American stunned the No 10 seed with a forceful forehand, hitting 11 winners in the first set, and going on to claim a 6-1 6-2 victory.

JUAN Martin del Potro extended his winning streak to 14 matches as he defeated Filip Krajinovic to reach the quarterfinals of the Miami Open.

The excellent run of form for the world No 6 continued as he fought back from 4-1 down in the first set to beat the 22nd seed 6-4 6-2.

The Argentine improved his record to a career best 20-3 start to the year.

He will now go on to face Milos Raonic, who overcame Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-4, winning 85% of his first service points and winning a break in the final game to see out the match.

Borna Coric denied Denis Shapovalov a place in the last eight, beating the Canadian 7-6 (7/2) 4-6 6-4.

A 33-shot rally in the third set saw Coric move ahead before three double faults from his 18-yearold opponent gave him the opportunity to seize two match points.

Francis Tiafoe appeared on court twice, first to finish off his defeat of Tomas Berdych 6-7 (2/7) 6-2 7-6 (7/1) after rain interrupted play the day before, and then to face Kevin Anderson in pursuit of a quarter-final place. Anderson hit 22 winners and nine aces to win 7-6 (7/3) 6-4.

Left — Dundee University with the Handicap Cup they won by beating their Abertay rivals. Right — Dundee University captain Stephanie Scott Flynn being handed the winning trophy by Dundee and District Badminton Association chairman Bill Garland. More...

Cairdy Thistle (black) took on Hilltown Hotspurs in the Dundee Saturday Morning League Shaun Kelly Memorial Cup second round at Riverside.

This Dundee City player is on the ball against Hawkhill. This match was also in the Shaun Kelly Memorial Cup second round at Riverside.