Azarenka ends Goerges run to enter Madrid final

Victoria Azarenka moved to within one victory of a third title from her last four WTA events as the Belarus fourth seed ended the hopes of German Julia Goerges 6-4, 6-2 in the semi-finals of the ATP-WTA Madrid Masters on Saturday.

Azarenka, who won back to back trophies in Miami and Marbella last month, will play either China's sixth seed Li Na or Czech 16th seed Petra Kvitova.

Goerges, who will move to a career high ranking in the top 20 when they are released on Monday, reached the last four with upset wins this week of world number one Caroline Wozniacki and the formerly top-ranked Dinara Safina.

The semi-final was played under the closed roof of the stadium as the first rain of the week hit the Spanish capital.

Azarenka is now guaranteed the number four ranking on Monday thanks to reaching the Madrid final, according to WTA calculations.

The winner took advantage as Goerges played well below her best in the 76-minute match, committing a massive 37 unforced errors to open the door for Azarenka.

Azarenka converted on three of nine break points and saved the only one she faced in the fourth game of the first set. Azarenka took the match with her first match point when Goerges put a weak backhand into the net.