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Pace will not be an issue in this semifinal clash between Victoria Azarenka and Johanna Konta, two of the game’s flattest hitters. After falling in the first round of her last three tournaments, Azarenka has righted the ship and steered herself back into the semifinals of a WTA Premier event (a place she surely belongs) for the first time in over two years.

Konta has surprised many with her semifinal run. The Brit, who was manually checking her pulse during a medical timeout in her first-round loss to Marie Bouzkova in Lexington, has handled the sweltering heat and humidity flawlessly. She even appears to enjoy the quick court speed at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center.

Western & Southern Open Semifinal Preview: Konta vs. Azarenka

Western & Southern Open Semifinal Preview: Konta vs. Azarenka

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Konta will be unbothered by Azarenka’s pace: She owns a 2-1 head-to-head advantage and throttled the Belarusian 6-3, 6-1 in Montreal in 2018. The word No. 15 has yet to be broken this week in New York, serving her way to routine victories over the likes of Kirsten Flipkens, Vera Zvonereva and Maria Sakkari.

"We've had some great matches against each other,” Konta told press of Azarenka. “She's obviously playing very well as well. She's an incredible competitor.”

If Konta can continue her incredible serving, look for her to advance to her fourth career WTA Premier final.

The Pick: Johanna Konta

Western & Southern Open Semifinal Preview: Konta vs. Azarenka

Western & Southern Open Semifinal Preview: Konta vs. Azarenka