Guadalajara Open: Garcia blasts past Azarenka to make semi-finals

Frenchwoman Caroline Garcia, the No 3 seed, reached the semi-finals of the Guadalajara Open Akron by winning against Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, the No 10 seed, 6-3, 6-4 on Thursday night.

It was a no-nonsense straight sets victory for the world No 11, who thundered down 10 aces, won 78 percent of her first serve points, and saved an incredible 11/11 break points.

Garcia will face the winner of the match between Colombian Emiliana Arango and Greek Maria Sakkari, the second seed, next. Ahead of her victory, the Frenchwoman edged out Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich (4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4) and defeated American Hailey Baptiste (7-5, 6-4).

Azarenka, ranked No 23, won against American Robin Montgomery (6-1, 6-1), Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska (6-4, 7-6 (5)) and Russian Veronika Kudermetova, the No 7 seed (6-2, 6-1) in her previous matches.