Top-ranked Azarenka reaches semis at WTA Linz

LINZ, Austria (AP) — Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka reached her 10th semifinal of the season Friday by defeating Petra Martic of Croatia 6-2, 6-2 at the Generali Ladies.

Azarenka won the first 10 points to build a 4-0 lead before Martic clawed her way back into the match.

The Croat had a break in the second set to pull even at 2-2 but did not win another game.

Azarenka will next play either Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States or Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania.

Julia Goerges also reached the semifinals after beating Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden 6-1, 6-4.

From 1-1 in the opening set, the fifth-seeded German won seven straight games. Arvidsson broke back to 4-4 in the second but then dropped her serve for the fourth time in the match.