The 33-year-old Belarusian won her two titles in Australia in 2012 and 2013 and is ranked 24th.

It's been ten years since the highlights of her career and she is back at her highest level.

Few thought Azarenka would beat Pegula, who beat world number one Iga Swiatek a couple of weeks ago. 

- I don't think of myself as an underdog, but always have high goals when I play a tournament and have been playing better and better, says Azarenka.

She misses the dog Guapo, who remains at the house in Florida.

- I have to wait until I get back to the hotel and look at him on cameras that I have in the house.

He gets so worried when he hears my voice and runs around looking for me so I have to keep quiet and just watch him.

Fortunately, he has many other dogs to play with and is very social.

When I come home, I won't leave him for a couple of days, that's for sure, says Azarenka.

The son cares most about football

Son Leo doesn't care much about his mother's tennis career.

- He has seen some matches but is most interested in his football.

Considering that I am a dog mother, I have two children to take care of, thinks Azarenka, whose only career Grand Slam wins are from Australia.

In 2020 she was in the final of the US Open and before that she had a quarter-final in Melbourne as her best result from 2016. Tough opposition awaits in the semi-finals: The reigning champion of Wimbledon, Elena Rybakina.