Lucky loser Wang upsets Azarenka to reach Citi Open semis

Xiyu Wang will face the winner of the match between Russian Liudmila Samsonova and second seed Emma Raducanu in the semi-finals

Xiyu Wang at the 2021 Miami Open Image Credit: AI/ Reuters/ Panoramic

Tennis Majors

August 6, 2022

Chinese lucky loser Xiyu Wang advanced to the semi-finals of the Citi Open by beating Belarusian Victoria Azarenka, the No 4 seed, in straight sets on Saturday.

Wang won 6-1, 6-3 in one hour and 19 minutes as she converted six of 11 break point chances that she had. Azarenka, a former world No 1 and two-time Major winner, was undone by seven double faults and was able to convert only two of five break point chances.

Xiyu Wang, ranked No 95, will play the winner of the match between Russian Liudmila Samsonova and second seed Emma Raducanu next.

Lucky loser ➡️ Final Four

21-year-old Xiyu Wang punches her ticket to the semifinals defeating Azarenka 6-1, 6-3. #CitiOpen pic.twitter.com/8n6MDDVTGS
— Mubadala Citi DC Open (@mubadalacitidc) August 6, 2022

The 21-year-old Chinese had lost in the final round of qualifying but got into the main draw as a lucky loser. She then defeated German Tatjana Maria (6-2, 7-5) and Croat Donna Vekic (4-6, 7-5, 6-1) in her first two matches in the main draw this week.

This was the second match of the day for Azarenka due to the rain delay on Thursday. She had defeated Czech Tereza Martincova (7-6 (7), 6-2) earlier in the day.

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