Victoria Azarenka delivered an exceptional performance to defeat world No. 3 Jessica Pegula and secure her place in the Australian Open semifinals. The two-time Australian Open champion, now ranked 24th, showcased vintage form in her 6-4 6-1 victory over Pegula, who had been a standout performer on the women’s tour recently.
Azarenka achieved this win in just one hour and 37 minutes, marking her best result in Melbourne since her last Australian Open triumph in 2013 and her second Grand Slam semifinal appearance since 2020.
“I hate to beat her because I always want her to succeed,” Azarenka reflected in her post-match interview. “But I needed to bring my best game because she’s been so consistent. We had many rallies … I just had to stay focused and seize opportunities.”
Azarenka expressed pride in executing her game plan effectively and was thrilled to reach another Grand Slam semifinal. Reflecting on her past struggles, she noted, “Last year, my tennis was decent, but I struggled mentally.
I played with a lot of fear and anxiety, which affected my decision-making. I pushed myself hard in the offseason and tried to embrace new approaches.”
Pegula, still waiting for her first Grand Slam semifinal appearance, had a lot to ponder after the match. Her performance, especially the dramatic drop in her level during the second set, highlighted her challenges.
“Pegula started slowly,” former professional and current Eurosport tennis expert Barbara Schett observed. “Initially, Azarenka was dominant, and Pegula had to react, which is not her preferred style. Pegula made a strong comeback in the first set, but her frustration grew, and she struggled with the conditions, often expressing confusion to her coach.”
Azarenka, a seasoned Grand Slam winner with two Australian Open titles to her name, contrasted sharply with Pegula, who seemed overwhelmed by the occasion. Despite Pegula’s powerful game, she struggled early as Azarenka swiftly took a 3-0 lead in the first set with precise groundstrokes.
Pegula managed to hold serve in a lengthy game, but her frustration was evident as she attempted to adjust to Azarenka’s early dominance. With Azarenka serving at 4-2, Pegula had a chance to break back but failed to capitalize. Though Pegula broke Azarenka’s serve at 5-3, Azarenka quickly reclaimed the set with another break.
The second set saw Pegula’s performance falter further as Azarenka quickly established a 2-0 lead. Pegula’s visible frustration and attempts to adjust her game did little to stem the tide. Even when Pegula broke back, Azarenka responded immediately, extending her lead to 4-1 and maintaining control throughout the set.
Azarenka’s exceptional returning skills neutralized Pegula’s serve, and despite Pegula’s attempts to mix up her shots, including a poorly executed drop shot, Azarenka’s relentless baseline play secured her victory. Azarenka broke Pegula’s serve for the fourth consecutive game to take a 5-1 lead and eventually served out the match.
Post-match, Azarenka humorously mentioned her eagerness to return to her son—who, she admitted, prefers soccer over tennis—and her new dog. If Azarenka continues her stellar form, her family might have to wait a bit longer for her return.