adminSECOND seed Victoria Azarenka remains on course for a return to the US Open final after beating Daniela Hantuchova in the last eight at Flushing Meadows.The 2012 runner-up needed only an hour and 16 minutes to win 6-2 6-3 and set up a semi-final meeting with Italy’s Flavia Pennetta.
French eighth seed Richard Gasquet earlier held his nerve to beat fourth seed David Ferrer over five sets.
He will face second seed Rafael Nadal who thrashed Tommy Robredo 6-0 6-2 6-2.
Azarenka had looked below her best in the opening four rounds and began nervously once again, but got the better of three early breaks on her way to taking the first set.
The second set suggested the two-time Australian Open champion was still some way off top form as she slipped 2-0 behind, and then failed to serve out the match after a run of five straight games.
Hantuchova simply could not protect her serve, however, and Azarenka clinched victory with her seventh break of the night.
At 24 years old, she will be the only one of the four semi-finalists not in her 30s.
“It’s amazing to see such great players in the semi-finals,” said Azarenka. “Flavia has been through so much in her career and I can’t wait to play her.”-BBC.
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derick.khumalo