Victoria Azarenka "surprised" by Simona Halep's pace at US Open

Victoria Azarenka has admitted that she was "surprised" by how much pace Simona Halep got on the ball during their quarter-final match at the US Open on Wednesday.

The two-time finalist at Flushing Meadows managed to fight back from a set down to send the clash into a third set, but a rain delay halted the Belarusian's progress.

Eventually, Halep, who has never before reached the semi-finals in New York, secured a 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory.

"I think I played well," Azarenka told reporters after the match. "I believe I could have played better. I did really fight really hard, and I was trying to find solutions.

"She played really well today. I was a little bit surprised by the pace of her ball to be honest. I think that, you know, a couple of free points that I gave away today cost me the match a little bit."

Halep will take on Flavia Pennetta in the semi-finals.