Victoria Azarenka maintained her winning momentum despite a slow start on the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday, cruising past Daniela Hantuchova, 6-2, 6-3, to reach the semi-final.
The second seed got the better of three early breaks on her way to taking the first set. The second set suggested the last year losing finalist was still some way off her prime as she slipped 2-0 behind and then failed to serve out the match after a run of five straight games.
Slovakian, Hantuchova, simply could not protect her serve, however, and Azarenka clinched victory with her seventh break of the night.
The 24-year-old Belarusian sets up Flavia Pannetta in the semis.
Italy’s Pannetta, who is ranked down at 83 after struggling with back and wrist injuries last year, beat another fellow seeded Italian, Roberta Vinci, 6-4, 6-1 to reach the women’s semi-final.
