In the first of the 4 quarter finals that were played Lesia Tsurenko raced to a 4-0 nothing lead in the first set against Daniela Hantuchova, the Slovak came back to win the next 3 games but then called for the coach to take a look at what appeared to be a back problem for her, after play resumed Hantuchova gifted more points to Tsurenko and she took the 2 games to take the first set 6-3, Tsurenko's backhand was giving Hantuchova trouble all match and the pattern of the fist set continued in the second set with Tsurenko getting a decisive break and taking advantage of the lack of movement coming from her opponent, Lesia Tsurenko the Lucky Loser who replaced Maria Sharapova now moves into the Semi Finals of the premier tournament in what has been a great run for the World #116 after coming back in the tournament.
The next Quarter final was a high quality match with a loads of powerful strong rallies between the improving Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and the world #5 Angielique Kerber, Pavs played the match of her career just powering Kerber off the court with pinpoint forehands, Kerber tried to match her all the way but Pavs was just to strong in what was a clear improvement in form from last year, her serve looked comfortable as she hit 8 aces compared to Kerber's 2 aces, there were rallies where Kerber was doing well just to return the ball back but often left Pavs with easy Volleys but other times Pav made her own Winners by unleashing forehands across court that Kerber didn't get anywhere near to, the first set went to a tie break where Pavs gained the upperhand to take it and the second set was familiar to the second set, Pav went 4-2 up but failed to take advantage and Kerber broke back and a couple of games later the match went to another tie break which Pavs stormed into a 6-0 lead, Kerber tried to come back winning the next 3 points but it wasn't enough as Pavs won the second tie break of the match to win 7-6 7-6 and book her place in the Semis.
The World #1 Victoria Azarenka played in the third Quarter final of the day against Qualifier Pervak who didn't trouble her at all in the match as she failed to hold serve once against Vika, Vika started a bit shakey on serve and presenting Pervak with a few chances with her second serve but apart from that it was Business as usual for Vika as she hit 25 winners in 13 games, Vika had a chance to Bagel Pervak in the first set but her serve let her down at the crucial moment but still took it 6-1 and then got her bagel in the second set as her forehand and was to much for Pervak to handle as she struggled to win points in the rallies, a good start to the season for Vika as she makes the Semi Finals winning 6-1 6-0.
In the last Quarter final it was Serena Williams v Sloane Stephens in an All American match, Serena was tested by Sloane a lot in this match i think more then she expected anyway, Sloane used her backhand well at times and added a bit more variety to her game in some points but Serena's serve was a huge difference in the match. you can see why people think Sloane has so much potential for the future she stayed in points so well with Serena and she will only improve in the next couple of years, Serena was Solid and played a usual composed game showing a bit of passion as well with a few " Come on Chants " which Sloane didn't appreciate to much, it was a good test and a well fought victory for Serena in the end as she won 6-4 6-3
Full Quarter Final Results
Lesia Tsurenko bt Daniela Hantuchova 6-3 6-4
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova Bt Angielique Kerber 7-6 7-6
Victoria Azarenka bt Pervak 6-1 6-0
Serena Williams bt Sloane Stephens 6-4 6-3
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