Victoria Azarenka beats Maria Kirilenko at French Open

Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka became the first woman representing Belarus to reach the semifinals of the French Open by defeating Maria Kirilenko of Russia

Third-seeded Victoria Azarenka became the first woman representing Belarus to reach the semifinals of the French Open by defeating Maria Kirilenko of Russia 7-6 (3), 6-2 on Wednesday.

The two-time Australian Open champ won five straight points to lead 6-1 in the tiebreaker before hitting a backhand crosscourt winner to take the first set.

Kirilenko, who has never advanced past the quarterfinals in any Grand Slam tournament, double-faulted to trail 3-1 in the second set.

Azarenka sealed her spot in the last four when Kirilenko sent a forehand long. She will next face No. 2 Maria Sharapova, who beat No. 18 Jelena Jankovic.