Azarenka eyes sixth season title in Linz

LINZ, Austria (AFP) –

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus returns the ball to Irina-Camelia Begu of Romania during their semi-final match at the Linz WTA tennis tournament held in Linz. Azarenka won 6-2, 6-1.

World number one Victoria Azarenka kept on track for a sixth title this season, sweeping aside Irina Begu of Romania 6-2, 6-1 at the Linz WTA tournament on Saturday.

The lop-sided semi-final earned the Belarusian her ninth final appearance of 2012.

Standing in the Australian Open winner’s way of yet more silverware in her breakthrough season is Germany’s Julia Goerges, who had a slightly tougher assignment in her semi against Belgian Kirsten Flipkens.

The number five seed struggled badly in the opening set, which she lost 1-6, but got herself back in business to take the next two 6-2, 6-3.

Azarenka is on a roll, having captured the Beijing Open last week and she is now one match away from a 14th career title.

Her 2012 trophy haul began with her first Grand Slam in Australia, with follow up victories in Sydney, Doha and Indian Wells.

But the 23-year-old then proceeded to lose three finals since, including at last month’s US Open, where Serena Williams‘ late recovery left her in tears, before her 6-3, 6-1 Beijing defeat of world number two Maria Sharapova.

Georges, ranked 19th in the world, in contrast is looking for her first title of the season having been beaten by Azarenka in her only final appearance this campaign in Qatar.