Victoria Azarenka advances to Indian Wells finals after crushing former French Open champ Jelena Ostapenko

Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka said she was proud of her fighting spirit in Friday's comeback victory against Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko in the semi-finals of the Indian Wells tournament.

Picture credit: Twitter

Victoria Azarenka, a two-time winner at the California event, fought back from a set and break down to beat 2017 French Open champion Ostapenko 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. The 32-year-old will face Spain`s Paula Badosa in Sunday's final as she aims to become the first woman to win the Indian Wells title three times after victories in 2012 and 2016.

"I thought the most important (thing) was my fight, that I can be really proud of," twice Grand Slam winner Azarenka told reporters. "Analysing the game, it was a lot of things that I could have maybe done a little bit better.

"Overall, she (Ostapenko) was playing incredible in the first set... I was just trying to find opportunity, create opportunity, for me to get back into the match, to take a little bit more control in the match, really fight for every ball."

Azarenka, who is searching for her first title of the season, said that she had endured a 'tricky' campaign this year.

Spain's Paula Badosa beats Ons Jabeur in straight sets 6-3 6-3 to reach her first final at a WTA 1000 event on her debut at Indian Wells.

She will face two-time winner Victoria Azarenka, who came from a set down to defeat Jelena Ostapenko 3-6 6-3 7-5.#5SN #BNPPO21 #WTA #Tennis pic.twitter.com/zi905CQmPf

— 5 Sports Network (@5SportsNet) October 16, 2021

"There were parts where I physically couldn`t necessarily bring that extra level, extra fight, which was very frustrating, I feel like right now I`m a bit more settled with a bit more structure, a little bit more discipline, which makes it not necessarily easier but a bit clearer what I need to do." the Belarusian said.

Azarenka faces Paula Badosa in the finals of the Indian Wells, a date to be announced soon.