Azarenka strikes a blow for younger generation at Open
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Victoria Azarenka struck a blow for the younger generation by beating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-2, 6-3 to join a trio of 31-year-olds in the semifinals of the US Open on Wednesday.
The 24-year-old Belarusian, the second seed and runner-up last year, will play unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta, while defending champion Serena Williams meets Li Na of China in the semifinals.
Pennetta reached her first grand slam semifinal on Wednesday by beating longtime friend and Fed Cup teammate Roberta Vinci, the 10th-seeded 30-year-old, 6-4, 6-1.
Azarenka is well aware she is battling the ‘old guard’ in last four. “I’m a baby, what can I say?” she added. “It’s amazing to see such great players in the semifinals.”
The victory moved Australian Open champion Azarenka one step closer to a possible Arthur Ashe Stadium rematch against Williams for the title.
“It’s amazing to see athletes doing so well, their careers longer so fans and themselves can enjoy their careers much better,” she said. “Everybody looks much fitter, really taking care of their body and taking the sport to the next level.”
Pennetta, ranked 83rd as she battles back from surgery on an injured right wrist that kept her out of last year’s tournament, said times had changed for veteran players on the women’s side. “I think we just keep playing. Before the career of the woman was shorter, they retired early.”
The good-natured duel between friends who have competed against one another since they were 10 turned into a rout by the second set, which Pennetta raced through in 24 minutes against an error-prone Vinci.
“It was, of course, a special day for us,” said Vinci, who is part of the world No. 1-ranked women’s doubles team with fellow Italian Sara Errani, and still busy defending their US Open double title. “This time she won, but I think that I’m happy, too, about this tournament.”
Pennetta continued a strong history of success at Flushing Meadows.
After advancing to the quarters in 2008, 2009 and 2011, Pennetta has not dropped a set in her march to the semifinals, dropping just 25 games in her five victories. “I don’t know. I just enjoy to play here,” she said.
Their quarter of the draw was something of a festival for the Italians.
In playing Pennetta, Vinci was facing her third successive compatriot, having beaten unseeded Camila Giorgi and Karin Knapp in previous rounds. Pennetta eliminated fourth seed Errani in the second round.
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