In a swift quarterfinal match at the Brisbane International, second-seeded Elena Rybakina cruised to the semifinals, needing to play only seven games. The 2022 Wimbledon champion took the first set 6-1 before 11th-seeded Anastasia Potapova retired due to an abdominal injury. Rybakina is set to face either Linda Noskova or Mirra Andreeva in the next round.
Victoria Azarenka Battles Through Three Sets to Secure Semifinal Berth
Two-time champion Victoria Azarenka faced a tougher challenge in her quarterfinal, enduring a three-set battle lasting about 2 1/2 hours against the No. 3 seed, Jelena Ostapenko. Azarenka emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Despite the intense match and Ostapenko’s emotional outburst, Azarenka showcased resilience, hitting 16 aces and securing a spot in the semifinals. She is set to face either Aryna Sabalenka or Daria Kasatkina.
Victoria Azarenka’s Reflects on Tense Victory and Potential Semifinal Opponents
Commenting on her challenging match against Ostapenko, Azarenka humorously mentioned the prospect of needing a protective helmet to face the unpredictable moments on the court. The two-time Australian Open champion expressed pride in overcoming Ostapenko’s powerful groundstrokes and looks forward to facing her compatriot Sabalenka or Kasatkina in the semifinals.
Men’s Semifinals Taking Shape: Rune, Dimitrov, and a Potential Nadal Clash
In the men’s division, top seed Holger Rune secured a spot in the semifinals with a 6-2, 7-6 (6) victory over James Duckworth. Meanwhile, No. 2-seeded Grigor Dimitrov advanced with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Rinky Hijikata. The stage is set for a potential clash between Dimitrov and the returning Rafael Nadal, who is on a comeback journey from a year-long injury layoff. Nadal aims to extend his successful run after straight-sets wins over Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler in his first two competitive matches since the 2023 Australian Open. The quarterfinal nightcap against Jordan Thompson will determine Nadal’s path to the semifinals.
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