German seventh seed Angelique Kerber has caused a massive upset after defeating tournament favourite Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to send the Belarusian out of the Australian Open.
The quarterfinal matchup between the two seeds began with Azarenka clearly struggling after losing the first four games.
The nervous Belarusian found herself in uncharted territory for the first time since arriving in Australia earlier in the month however, she soon fought back.
Her fight wasn’t enough with Azarenka conceding her first set all summer after Angelique Kerber’s performance was far too convincing.
The Brisbane International winner began the second set on all the right notes and raced away to dominate the set however Kerber managed a late fightback and weathered a tiebreaker, going on to win the match.
Kerber now faces off against either of Johanna Konta or qualifier Zhang Shuai.
Final score
Angelique Kerber defeated Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 7-5.
Can Victoria Azarenka book a spot in the semi-finals and come one step closer to her first grand slam title since 2013 or will German Angelique Kerber continue her best Australian Open run? Join The Roar from 11am (AEDT) for live scores and coverage.
Seventh seed Angelique Kerber has had a great start to 2016 and will be hoping that she can take that one step further and book the first semi-final of her grand slam career.
After defeating Misaki Doi in a close three-set match during the third round 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, the German has not looked back, cruising through to the quarter-finals after defeating Alexandra Dulgheru 6-2, 6-4 during the second round before knocking out American Madison Brengle 6-1, 6-3 in the third and then compatriot Annika Beck 6-4, 6-0.
The German has now won eight of her last ten matches with her only losses coming during her lead-in to the first grand slam of the year, the first coming in the final of the Brisbane International where she lost to Azarenka in straight sets having previously beaten the likes of Carla Suarez Navarro and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova while her second loss for the year came during the second round of the Sydney International after she was forced to withdraw from the tournament.
Kerber has a huge task ahead of her with Azarenka in fighting form having not dropped a single set all year.
The Belarusian fourteenth seed has not lost since retiring during a second round meeting with Johanna Konta at the Wuhan Open in September 2015.
Since the start of the new year, Azarenka has found her old form taking a Brisbane International final from the hands of Kerber after defeating American Samantha Crawford and world No.15 Roberta Vinci along the way.
The two-time Australian Open champion who was crowned in 2012 and 2013 after considering quitting tennis to focus on her education defeated Alison Van Uytvanck in the first round without dropping a game 6-0, 6-0 before cruising through to wins over Danka Kovinic 6-1, 6-2 and Naomi Osaka 6-1, 6-1 during the second and third rounds.
Azarenka was almost taken to a tiebreaker in the fourth round against Barbora Strycova however, she held on to win 6-2, 6-4. If the world No.16 can win, she is likely to face off against six-time champion Serena Williams in the final.
The pair has met on seven occasions with Azarenka taking all bar one of their matches with Kerber’s only win by virtue of a walkover.
Most recently, they faced off in the final of the Brisbane International where Azarenka prevailed 6-3, 6-1 and showed exactly why she has been installed as a short favourite to take out the crown at Melbourne Park.
They played each other twice in 2015 with Azarenka sending Kerber out of the US Open in the third round in three sets while also defeating her in the first at Doha in straight sets.
The winner will go through to a semi-final against either former Australian Johanna Konta or qualifier Zhang Shuai.
Prediction
Victoria Azarenka will continue her outstanding start to 2016 with a second straight sets win over Kerber for the new calendar year.
Azarenka in straight sets.
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Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
German seventh seed Angelique Kerber has caused a massive upset after defeating tournament favourite Victoria Azarenka in straight sets to send the Belarusian out of the Australian Open. The quarterfinal matchup between the two seeds began with Azarenka clearly struggling after losing the first four games. The nervous Belarusian found herself in uncharted territory for the first time since arriving in Australia earlier in the month however, she soon fought back. Her fight wasn't enough with Azarenka conceding her first set all summer after Angelique Kerber's performance was far too convincing. The Brisbane International winner began the second set on all the right notes and raced away to dominate the set however Kerber managed a late fightback and weathered a tiebreaker, going on to win the match. Kerber now faces off against either of Johanna Konta or qualifier Zhang Shuai. Angelique Kerber 6 7 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
END SECOND SET Aces: 1 - 1 1st Serve %: 18/34 (53%) - 19/27 (70%) Double Faults: 1 - 2 Win % on 1st Serve: 12/18 (67%) - 15/29 (52%) Win % on 2nd Serve: 8/16 (50%) - 7/13 (54%) Winners: 18 - 16 Unforced Errors: 8 - 15 Receiving Points Won: 20/42 (48%) - 14/34 (41%) Break Point Conversions: 3/5 (60%) - 2/3 (67%) Net Approaches: 2/6 (33%) - 7/9 (78%) Angelique Kerber 6 7 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, she hits a strong forehand winner but then concedes a winner from Kerber. Azarenka makes an unforced error before hitting another winner, this time off her backhand. The Belarusian makes an unforced error giving Kerber match point. Kerber breaks serve after Azarenka forces an error and wins the match causing a huge upset. Angelique Kerber 6 7 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she forces an error off her backhand before Azarenka makes four consecutive errors and Kerber takes the game. Angelique Kerber 6 6 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, Kerber makes an unforced error before Azarenka hits the net. Kerber forces two consecutive error giving Azarenka set point. The Belarusian makes an unforced error and then concedes a backhand winner. Deuce, Azarenka makes an unforced error and Kerber breaks serve following a forehand winner. Angelique Kerber 6 5 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, Azarenka hits an unforced error before Kerber forces one of her own. The German concedes a backhand winner before hitting a strong forehand winner down the line. Kerber hits another winner, this time with her backhand and takes the game after Azarenka forces an error. Angelique Kerber 6 4 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, wins first point after Kerber forces an error. Kerber makes an unsuccessful challenge after making an unforced error. Azarenka hits a backhand winner earning set point. The two-time champion forces an error before conceding a forehand winner. Kerber hits another forehand winner, deuce. Kerber hits a backhand winner and breaks serve after Azarenka double faults. Angelique Kerber 6 3 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she hits a forehand winner before Azarenka makes an unforced error. Kerber forces an error and then concedes two consecutive forehand winners giving Azarenka break point. Kerber forces another error and Azarenka breaks serve. Angelique Kerber 6 2 Victoria Azarenka 3 5
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, she takes the first point before hitting a forehand winner before making an unforced error. Azarenka then double faults and then hits a backhand winner. Kerber earns break point with a forehand winner and then hits an impressive forehand volley winner. Deuce. Azarenka goes for a winner however, she misses and makes an unforced error. Kerber forces an error and then gives her opponent advantage with an unforced error. Azarenka wins the game after Kerber forces an error. Angelique Kerber 6 2 Victoria Azarenka 3 4
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she concedes a backhand winner before hitting one of her own off her forehand. She makes an unforced error bfore hitting another forehand winner. Kerber hits an ace before Azarenka makes an error giving the German the game. Angelique Kerber 6 2 Victoria Azarenka 3 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, she makes an unforced error before Kerber forces one off her forehand. Azarenka hits two strong backhand winners in a row, she then forces an error before Kerber does the same giving the Belarusian the game. Angelique Kerber 6 1 Victoria Azarenka 3 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she hits two consecutive forehand winners before Azarenka gets a winner off her backhand. The Belarusian makes an unforced error. Kerber hits a backhand winner to win the game. Angelique Kerber 6 1 Victoria Azarenka 3 2
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, she wins the first point after Kerber forces an error. The German's forehand is too strong and sees her make two more errors. Azarenka hits an ace and wins the game. Angelique Kerber 6 0 Victoria Azarenka 3 2
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she concedes a forehand volley before Azarenka forces an error. The German double faults before Azarenka sets up break point with a forehand volley winner. Kerber hits a backhand winner before breaking serve after Kerber makes an unforced error. Angelique Kerber 6 0 Victoria Azarenka 3 1
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
END FIRST SET Aces: 3 - 1 1st Serve %: 27/36 (75%) - 27/38 (71%) Double Faults: 1 - 2 Win % on 1st Serve: 14/27 (52%) - 15/27 (56%) Win % on 2nd Serve: 6/9 (67%) - 2/11 (18%) Winners: 13 - 12 Unforced Errors: 8 - 18 Receiving Points Won: 21/38 (55%) - 16/36 (44%) Break Point Conversions: 3/8 (38%) - 1/5 (20%) Net Approaches: 4/5 (80%) - 6/11 (55%) Angelique Kerber 6 Victoria Azarenka 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, makes three consecutive errors before hitting an ace and a backhand volley winner. She fights back with a forehand volley winner, deuce. The Belarusian takes advantage with another forehand volley winner. Kerber hits a forehand winner to avoid losing the game. She regains set point after Azarenka forces an error off her backhand, she takes the set after her opponent makes an unforced error. Angelique Kerber 6 Victoria Azarenka 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, double faults before making an unforced error off her backhand. Azarenka forces an error before Kerber gives her opponent break point. The German hits a forehand winner and sets up deuce after Azarenka forces an error. The Belarusian challenges Kerber unsuccessfully to give the German advantage. She makes an unforced error and then aces Azarenka who challenges unsuccessfully yet again. She hits a backhand winner before making an unforced error. Kerber brings it back to deuce after making an error of her own. She takes another ace before forcing an error. The German hits a backhand winner and holds serve after Azarenka makes an error. Angelique Kerber 5 Victoria Azarenka 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, Kerber forces three consecutive errors putting her opponent back in the match. The German hits a backhand winner before Azarenka makes two straight errors. Deuce, Kerber forces two consecutive errors and Azarenka takes the game. Angelique Kerber 4 Victoria Azarenka 3
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Kerber on serve, she forces two consecutive errors off her forehand before Azarenka forces one with her backhand and then makes yet another giving Azarenka break point.. The Belarusian hits too hard off her backhand and then hits a backhand winner to break serve. Angelique Kerber 4 Victoria Azarenka 2
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
Azarenka on serve, makes two consecutive unforced errors, on her second missing an opportunity to hit a winner on Kerber's left side. Kerber forces four errors in a row and Azarenka gets on the scoreboard. Angelique Kerber 4 Victoria Azarenka 1