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.


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"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.



"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.