Victoria Azarenka struck a blow for the younger generation by beating Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia 6-2 6-3 to join a trio of 31-year-olds in the semi-finals of the US Open yesterday.
The 24-year-old Belarusian, the second seed and runner-up last year, will play unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta, while defending champion Serena Williams meets Li Na, of China, in today’s semi-finals.
Pennetta reached her first grand slam semi-final on Wednesday by beating longtime friend and Fed Cup team-mate Roberta Vinci, the 10th-seeded 30-year-old, 6-4 6-1.
On the men’s side second seed Rafa Nadal continued his remarkable 2013 form, improving his hardcourt record to 20-0 with a 6-0 6-2 6-2 hammering of fellow Spaniard Tommy Robredo.
Next up for Nadal is France’s Richard Gasquet, who will be playing in the semi-final stage of a slam for the first time since Wimbledon in 2007.
Azarenka is well aware she is battling the ‘old guard’ in last four.
“I’m a baby, what can I say?” she added. “It’s amazing to see such great players in the semi-finals.”
The victory moved Australian Open champion Azarenka one step closer to a possible Arthur Ashe Stadium rematch against Williams for the title.
“It’s amazing to see athletes doing so well, their careers longer so fans and themselves can enjoy their careers much better,” she said.
“Everybody looks much fitter, really taking care of their body and taking the sport to the next level.”
Robredo had spoiled what would have been the first meeting at the US Open between Nadal and all-time grand slam king Roger Federer after the 31-year-old Spaniard sent the Swiss master packing in straight sets in the fourth round.
Nadal, who has come back from knee injuries that sidelined him for seven months to win nine tournaments including his eighth French Open for his 12th grand slam crown, bounded for joy after steamrolling another opponent at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“I think I played my best match in the US Open this year,” said 2010 US Open winner Nadal, who has lost just one set from five matches.
“Playing a little bit better every day is great.”
Eighth-seeded Gasquet booked his long awaited return to the last four of a men’s slam with a 6-3 6-1 4-6 2-6 6-3 upset of fourth seed David Ferrer of Spain.
It was the second successive five-setter for the 27-year-old Gasquet, who clinched the concluding set of a marathon fourth-round match against big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic 7-5.
Gasquet had lost eight of nine previous matches against Ferrer. The hill could be even steeper against Nadal, who has won all 10 of their professional encounters.
“Rafa, I never beat. Last time I beat him I was 13 years old,” said Gasquet.
“That was the only time I beat him. He’s a good friend of mine. I have nothing to lose.”