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Soccer mom Azarenka ordered to take off PSG shirt at Australian Open

channelnewsasia.com

MELBOURNE : Self-described "obnoxious soccer mom" Victoria Azarenka was ordered to take off her Paris St Germain shirt at the Australian Open on Thursday before bowing out of the Grand Slam with a straight sets defeat by Elena Rybakina in the semi-finals.The 33-year-old Belarusian twice champion has worn shirts showing support for French soccer champions PSG at the tournament and as a gesture to her six-year-old son Leo, who is also a big fan of the Paris club.After an exchange of words with the chair umpire at Rod Laver Arena, Azarenka took off the PSG shirt before warming up in her regular kit against Rybakina."They told me to take it off twice because I had a different shirt," the 22nd seed told reporters after losing 7-6(4) 6-3 to Kazakh Rybakina."I think it's the issue with the sponsorships.

I guess the logos are too big ... I know that I'm not allowed to play in that. I knew those type of things."But I can still step on the court in what I want to step on the court.

I do it for my own reasons."My son wore the white jersey today to his practice, and I tried to wear a white jersey to my match but couldn't.

So that's okay."That was the lesser of two disappointments for the Belarusian on Thursday, as Azarenka's bid for a third title at Melbourne Park ended with some regret at her missed chances against 22nd seed Rybakina.The 2012 and 2013 champion gave up a break in the first set and converted only three out of eight break points in the match.Up 0-40 on Rybakina's serve at 5-5 in the first set, Azarenka could not make the Kazakh pay and never had another look after that as her error count grew and her opponent's confidence rose."I'm proud of myself how I fought and I tried, but just was not - tennis-wise I felt like

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MELBOURNE: Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina began her Australian Open campaign on the outer courts at Melbourne Park but the 22nd seed is now just one step away from winning her second major on Saturday (Jan 28), with only fellow big-hitter Aryna Sabalenka standing in her way.
The third-seeded Sabalenka is the highest ranked player still in the tournament. She lost her serve in the opening game of the first set and a likely upset seemed in the offing when her opponent held serve with an ace to lead 2-0.
MELBOURNE: Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will clash in Saturday’s Australian Open women’s final after both won in straight sets in the last four in Melbourne. Wimbledon champion Rybakina defeated two-time Melbourne winner Victoria Azarenka 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 at a blustery and chilly Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Thursday. Belarusian Sabalenka then marched into the championship match with a 7-6 (7/1), 6-2 win over Magda Linette.
MELBOURNE :Elena Rybakina won a duel of Grand Slam champions to reach her first Australian Open final and will battle Aryna Sabalenka for the title after the Belarusian shrugged off her semi-final hoodoo at the majors.

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