During Day 5 of the 2018 US Open Women's Singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Sloane Stephens of the United States celebrates match point against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.
On Sunday, French Open champion Barbora Krejcikova destroyed the ambitions of Victoria Azarenka, the two-time Australian Open champion, to set up a quarter-final with big-serving Madison Keys.
On Rod Laver Arena, the fourth seed defeated the veteran Belarusian Azarenka, who was fighting with a neck ailment, 6-2, 6-2.
After defeating eighth-seeded Spaniard Paula Badosa 6-3, 6-1, victory set up a confrontation with the unseeded Keys for a spot in the final four.
"It was really great today because she's a champion here and she likes this court; she's extremely experienced on this court," Krejcikova, a Czech, said.
"I appreciate her because she's such a talented player, and I'm overjoyed that I won today." It was a dream come true to play on this court and against such a champion."
Krejcikova is coming off a tremendous year in 2021, when she won Roland Garros and rocketed to the top of the rankings.
However, in her two prior attempts in Australia, she had failed to advance past the second round.
In the searing heat, she swiftly took command, returning the ball brilliantly to keep it in play and then commanding from the back of the court.