Azarenka downs Konta to reach Miami semis

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka advanced to the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Miami Open by defeating British 24th seed Johanna Konta 6-4, 6-2.

Azarenka, the champion at Indian Wells earlier this month, will next face the winner of a later match between German second seed Angelique Kerber, the reigning Australian Open champion, and US 22nd seed Madison Keys.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia and Swiss 19th seed Timea Bacsinszky will meet in Thursday’s other women’s semi-final.

Eighth-ranked Azarenka, who was injured last year and had not been in the world’s top 10 since August of 2014 until last week, will jump to fifth next week as a result of the victory.

“I’m going to continue to fight and get better,” Azarenka said. “I’m trying to push myself, keep the intensity high.”