Azarenka sees off Paszek to reach Wimbledon last four

Victoria Azarenka beat Tamira Paszek 6-3, 7-6 on Tuesday to reach the Wimbledon semifinals for the second year in a row and stay on course to become world number one.

The second-seeded Belarussian eased through the first set in 46 minutes but Austrian Paszek, who beat former world number one Caroline Wozniacki in the first round, hung in tenaciously to force a tiebreak in the second.

Azarenka moved 6-3 ahead under the Centre Court roof and she clinched victory on her second match point after one hour 49 minutes when Paszek sent a backhand long.

Azarenka will play four-time champion Serena Williams in the semifinals.