Azarenka wins thriller to reach third Indian Wells final

Victoria Azarenka overcame Jelena Ostapenko on Friday night in a thrilling three-set semi-final to reach the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday.

Azarenka, who has won the event twice, came from a set down to beat her Latvian opponent 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours and 20 minutes.

“I thought the most important [thing], I would say today, was my fight, that I can be really proud of,” Azarenka said.

“Analysing the game, it was a lot of probably things that I could have maybe done a little bit better.

“Overall she was playing really incredible in the first set, not giving me much to do.

“I was just trying to find opportunity, actually create opportunity, for me to get back into the match, to take a little bit more control in the match, really fight for every ball.”

Ostapenko looked on course for victory after winning the first set and leading 2-0 in the second, before Azarenka fought back to 3-3.

The Latvian then fell to 6-5 down and had a chance to rescue the match, but Azarenka returned fire to edge the tie.

Peter Rowe

Recent Posts

Tenth time lucky as Li knocks out Sabalenka

American outsider Ann Li produced the upset of her life on Wednesday, taking 10 match points…

2 days ago

Zverev to take over as world No. 1

Alexander Zverev will claim world year-end No. 1 honours for the first time on the…

3 days ago

Grumpy Mac lashes out at player sked complaints

John McEnroe has used a trip to Spain to come down hard on modern player…

6 days ago

Alcaraz back for another 1-Point Slam appearance

Carlos Alcaraz will headline the field as the Australian Open stages its 1-Point Slam for…

1 week ago

Djoko to skip Shanghai after Beijing title miracle

Novak Djokovic is wisely choosing not to tempt fate, with the China Open winner withdrawing…

1 week ago

Djokovic backs into 7th Beijing title as injured de Minaur quits

Novak Djokovic retained his magic touch at the China Open, winning his seventh title without…

1 week ago