Tennis:Victoria Azarenka will try to forget about history when she takes on Serena Williams in today's Wimbledon semi-final (Centre Court 2nd match). The world No.2 is the only semi-finalist yet to drop a set in the tournament, but she is ready to be pushed to the limit against a woman with four Wimbledon titles in her possession.
Azarenka has lost seven of her last eight matches against the American veteran, and in their only previous meeting at Wimbledon, in 2009, she was hammered in the quarter-finals. But she will try to put all that to one side when she walks onto Centre Court.
"I don't really like to look back in history because every time you step on the court it's a new story," she said. “You kind of write your own history every time. I've lost to her most of the time. But I think we played once here only.
"She's a great champion. It's going to be a tough match no matter what. But that's what you kind of expect to have in the semi-finals. We had good matches. We had bad matches. We'll see."
Williams also expects a close encounter, saying: "She's playing unbelievable. I think she's played so well this year. Already having a Grand Slam (Australian Open) under her belt is really great. She did it in such style, so it's not going to be easy."
She's had a better year than I have. She's been so successful already. Going against a player like that, I feel like she almost has an advantage."
In the first semifinal of the day (Centre Court 1.00) Agnieszka Radwanska says she will have to play "100%" to beat Angelique Kerber The No.3 seed, the first Pole to reach a grand slam semi-final, will become the world No.1 if she wins the title.
The 23-year-old battled past Maria Kirilenko in the last eight in a tough three-setter, and as the higher-ranked player - Kerber is seeded eighth - she admits she has a great chance to reach the most prestigious final in the game.
"It's always an opportunity. It doesn't matter who you play," Radwanska said. "This is the semi-final, so it means that we have both already played a couple of good matches, also against seeded players.
"It means she's also playing great tennis this tournament. Really I have to play at 100% to win that match."
Dipping below her usual standard cost Radwanska at last year's US Open, where Kerber claimed her scalp in the second round. And Kerber went on to reach the semi-finals, so unlike her opponent she possesses experience at this stage of a grand slam.
"It's one of the best things in my career right now to be in a second semi at the grand slams," Kerber said. "I will go out there and try my best. I have nothing to lose right now. I will just try to play good tennis and enjoy it. I know I need to play at my highest level to beat her."