On Tuesday, Victoria Azarenka advanced to her first Australian Open semifinal in a decade. The last time she went this far in Melbourne, the then-world No. 1 successfully defended her title —her most recent major success. A look at Azarenka’s 10-year journey Down Under back to this stage:
In 2013, Azarenka retained the AO title by rallying past Li Na, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Her 18-match win streak at the Happy Slam was snapped in 2014 by Agnieszka Radwanska in the quarterfinals.
A year later, Dominika Cibulkova got the better of Azarenka in the round of 16.
In 2016, Azarenka opened her shortened season at 26-1. Her lone defeat came to eventual major breakthrough winner Angelique Kerber in the last eight at Melbourne Park.
After 11 successive appearances, Vika missed the 2017 edition for other happy reasons: she became a new mom to son Leo on December 20, 2016.
She was absent once again in 2018, this time due to an ongoing custody battle (which Azarenka would later win).
Azarenka’s 2019 AO return was short-lived, as she was bounced in round one by Laura Siegemund.
The Belarusian was MIA in 2020, having withdrawn for “personal reasons.”
A new test emerged in 2021. Arriving as the incoming US Open runner-up, Azarenka was one of 72 competitors to face ‘hard quarantine’ during February’s COVID-19-regulated AO. Jessica Pegula ultimately took their first-rounder.
When the 2022 Aussie Open rolled around, things looked up. Vika rolled through three matches, but was handily beaten by reigning French Open champ Barbora Krejcikova in the fourth round.
Which brings us to 2023. Her event began by facing the only fellow former women’s champ in the draw to start. Azarenka defeated 2020 titlist Sofia Kenin, 6-4, 7-6 (3).
The No. 24 seed then compiled a ruthless performance in a 6-1, 6-0 rout of Nadia Podoroska to advance.
Playing at night, Azarenka overcame a slow start to a maintain a perfect head-to-head against No. 10 seed Madison Keys, 1-6, 6-2, 6-1.
She released her emotions after winning a R16 match over Zhu Lin, 4-6, 6-1, 6-4. The duel went 2:40 and finished well after 2 a.m.
Back in the quarters, Azarenka avenged her 2021 defeat by overpowering world No. 3 Pegula, 6-4, 6-1, for her first Top 5 win at a major since the 2012 US Open (Sharapova). Elena Rybakina awaits in the final four.
I'm very excited. I feel like I definitely appreciate being on the court more now. Yeah, I'm excited to give it another go in the semifinal and try my best.