Azarenka into French Open semi-finals

VICTORIA Azarenka . AFP FILE PHOTO

PARIS — World number three Victoria Azarenka reached her first French Open semi-final on Wednesday when she defeated friend and former doubles partner, Maria Kirilenko of Russia, 7-6 (7/3) 6-2.

The 23-year-old Australian Open winner will face either defending champion Maria Sharapova or Jelena Jankovic for a place in Saturday’s final.