Azarenka cruises to semis
Boca’s Keys routed by Kerber in quarterfinal match
KEY BISCAYNE — It’s been a long road back to the top for Victoria Azarenka, and despite her oncourt feistiness, she seems to be enjoying the ride.
After finishing No. 1 in 2012 and No. 2 in 2013, with two Australian Open titles on her resume, Azarenka was pegged to be the successor to Serena Williams’ throne. However, emotional heartbreak combined with myriad injuries saw her plummet to 32nd in 2014 and No. 22 last year.
Azarenka, a shrieker from Belarus, cruised to a methodical 6-4, 6-2 quarterfinal victory over lateblooming Aussie-turned-Brit Johanna Konta on a breezy Wednesday afternoon at Crandon Park Tennis Center.
“I never doubt my abilities,’’ said Azarenka, 26, who improved to 20-1 this year and is seeking her third title here but first since 2011. “The doubt was to get healthy. So always been a little bit onmy mind.
“But I still feel I’m far from my best, and that’s what’s really exciting for me, to be motivated to keep improving. Everybody has doubts. We’re human beings. I always trust my ability, and I believe in myself.’’
Earlier this week, Russian veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova stunned the topranked Williams in the round of 16 to pave the way for the 13th-seeded Azarenka to possibly win back-toback Premier Mandatory tournaments in Indian Wells and Key Biscayne. Only Steffi Graf (1994, ’96) and Kim Clijsters (2005) have pulled off the difficult double.
Azarenka, who will jump to at least No. 5 from No. 8, is just 4-17 against the 34-year-old Williams, but all four victories have come in finals, including the most recent one at Indian Wells.
On Wednesday, she saved all five break points against Konta, and next will play second-seeded Angelique Kerber tonight in a semifinal after the left-handed German schooled Boca Raton resident Madison Keys, 6-3, 6-2, in a flat quarterfinal.
“She has a great future, and experience will make her success at the end,” Kerber said of Keys.
The 24th-ranked Keys, who swings for the fences on nearly every shot, littered Stadium Court with 39 unforced errors to just 10 for her much-steadier opponent.
“She gets a lot of balls back and puts pressure on and forces errors,” said Keys, 21, who’s 2-10 against top-5 opponents. “That’s why shewon the Australian Open. I try to mix things up, but sometimes it doesn’t work. A really bad night.”
Keys, whose coaching relationship with Lindsay Davenport ended last year, is now with former ATP pro Jesse Levine, also from Boca Raton.
“It’s better to laugh than cry,’’ Keys said of her 68-minute lesson.
Kerber, 28, a late bloomer who shocked Williams in the Australian Open finals in January for her first Grand Slam title, handed Azarenka her only defeat this year in the Aussie quarters. That was Kerber’s first victory over Azarenka after six defeats.
“This match [over Azarenka] was the breakthrough in Australia, because after that I had so much confidence,” Kerber said.
Belgium’s top-ranked player, David Goffin, reached his second consecutive Masters 1000 semifinal by grinding out a 3-6, 6-2, 6-1victory over Frenchman Gilles Simon in the afternoon quarterfinal.
“It’s sad what happened last week,” said Goffin, 25, who lives in Liege, about 50 miles from Zaventum Airport, site of one of the ter- rorist bombings in Brussels that claimed 32 lives and injured more than 300. “It’s tough to see all the videos.
“We have to move and continue to work and play tennis. There’s nothing else I can do. For me to play in another semfinal here is just a bonus.
“When you see every shop and area that you know perfectly like the airport I took so many flights from, it’s really impressive to see how it’s completely destroyed, and of course my family was completely shocked. … I’m always proud to be Belgian.’’
The 15th-seeded Goffin was 5 of 6 on break points in the last two sets and lost just four points on his serve in the decisive set. Goffin will face world No. 1Novak Djokovic, who improved to 23-2 against perennial Top-10er Tomas Berdych, the seventh seed, with a 6-3, 6-3 victory in a late-evening quarterfinal.
Djokovic, who has won this tournament five times, had just eight unforced errors to 35 for the lanky Czech. He took an injury timeout midway through the second set because of tightness in his back.
“I have nothing to lose,’’ Goffin said with a smile of his pending match with Djokovic.
Off the rink
Panthers players Jonathan Huberdeau, Reilly Smith, Alex Petrovic and Garrett Wilson attended the evening session.