Victoria Azarenka prevented the first over-30 women semi-final lineup in Grand Slam history, ripping Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday to secure a US Open last-four match with Italy's Flavia Pennetta.
u00a0The 24-year-old second seed from Belarus took only 76 minutes to defeat the 48th-ranked Slovakian while 83rd-rated Pennetta reached her first Grand Slam last four by ousting 10th-seeded compatriot Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-1.
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World number one Serena Williams, seeking her 17th Grand Slam title and fifth US Open crown, will meet Chinese fifth seed Li Na, the 2011 French Open champion, in Friday's other semi-final at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
“It’s great to see such great players out there and have the chance to play against them,” Azarenka said.