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Serena Williams will play Victoria Azarenka in one women’s semifinal - a rematch of the 2012 and 2013 US Open finals won by Williams - and Naomi Osaka will face Jennifer Brady in the other. Williams is closing in on what would be her seventh US Open championship and record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title overall. She has made it to the semifinals in each of her past 11 appearances in New York. Azarenka is a two-time Australian Open champion on a 10-match winning streak and back in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in seven years. Williams leads Azarenka 18-4 head-to-head. Williams, who turns 39 later this month, is coming off two three-set comeback victories in a row and hit 20 aces in her win against Tsvetana Pironkova in the quarterfinals. Williams was the runner-up at Flushing Meadows each of the past two years; she lost to Osaka in the 2018 final. That was one of Osaka’s two Grand Slam titles. Brady, meanwhile, had never been past the fourth at any major tournament until this week. But she is playing as well as anyone since tennis resumed last month from its hiatus because of the coronavirus, winning the first WTA title of her career at Lexington, Kentucky. Brady is a 25-year-old from Pennsylvania who helped UCLA win a college championship. She and Osaka have played twice, each winning once by a 6-4, 6-4 score, although Brady’s victory came six years ago. (With inputs from AP)
US Open 2020, Women's semi-finals, Match Highlights: Victoria Azarenka beats Serena Williams in comeback win
Follow US Open live scores and coverage as the action moves to the women’s singles semi-finals on Day 11.
 "US Open 2020, Women's semi-finals, Match Highlights: Victoria Azarenka beats Serena Williams in comeback win")
Great win for Azarenka and sets up beautifully for the final
✅ 11 wins in a row
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2020
✅ First win over Serena at the #USOpen
✅ First Grand Slam final since 2013
She's back. pic.twitter.com/bYStP2VVOZ
Azarenka breaking long held records
Victoria Azarenka defeats Serena Williams in the US Open Semis.
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 11, 2020
Williams had only lost 1 match in her major career after winning the opening set 6-1 or 6-0 (2014 Wimbledon against Alize Cornet).
She is now 94-2 in her major career after winning the opening set 6-1 or 6-0. pic.twitter.com/TPbW7njoiV
Match stats as Azarenka books her place in the final to face Osaka
Azarenka: “I knew it wasn’t over until it is all over. We both know that and today it was different.”
“Finding my calm mind is daily work. I had to keep moving, get the energy, no crowds so I had to do it myself. She put me in a hole after first set. It wasn’t easy.”
“I hope tonight’s match inspires women to go after their dreams. They can do many things in their lives. I’m a mom outside, but on court I can go for my dreams, inspire my child.”
“Super fun to play Naomi Osaka. She is super powerful. Playing in the final is a great opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it. I saw her match today and there were great rallies. We couldn’t play last week so I’m looking forward to it”
GAME, SET, MATCH VICTORIA AZARENKA!
Victoria Azarenka comes from a set down to beat Serena Williams 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 55 minutes. This is her first Grand Slam final since 2013 US Open and first win at a major over Serena
Williams 6-1, 3-6, 3-6 Azarenka (* denotes server)
Victoria Azarenka serving for the match. Starts off by seeing Serena miss a return. On second, Azarenka hits the sideline and Serena is unable to get it back. What placement! No chance of getting it back. Serena not going away either. She finds her depth with a thumpign forehand – 79mph. A double fault brings the game at even footing. But she gets a BIG serve to follow and Serena is unable to get it back. Who could? Match point. ACE!
Williams 6-1, 3-6, 3-5 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Another comfortable hold from Serena. She drops two points in that serve and leaves it to Azarenka to try and close this out.
Williams* 6-1, 3-6, 2-5 Azarenka (* denotes server)
Serena with a shanked backhand that goes wide. Azarenka holds after dropping one point in her serve. She is one game away from the final
Williams 6-1, 3-6, 2-4 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Serena drops one point in that serve. Azarenka sends the backhand return into the net. Williams trying her best to stay active, stay mobile after that foot “injury”
Incredible quality all around.
What a night of tennis @usopen
— Patrick McEnroe (@PatrickMcEnroe) September 11, 2020
So so good
Williams* 6-1, 3-6, 1-4 Azarenka (* denotes server)
Serena pushing Azarenka on the serve this time but Vika is holding on and fighting as well. From 30-30, she hits two big groundstrokes – one a winner and the other forcing Serena into a miss. She quickly goes off court for what may be a bathrom break.
Williams 6-1, 3-6, 1-3 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Serena having to spur herself on repeatedly as she plays catch up. Could well be to deter Azarenka’s momentum. She holds serve and gets on the board. Patrick on his feet to push her to fight.
Williams* 6-1, 3-6, 0-3 Azarenka (* denotes server)
Bit of a blip on the Azarenka serve. She goes from 30-0 up to having to draw all her energy to hold. And she does it with an ace which Serena believed had landed wide. Hawk Eye challenge confirmed it was bang on the line.
Williams 6-1, 3-6, 0-2 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Break point comes and goes as play resumes. Serena with a one-two backhand winner to shut down the break chance. But another one comes soon after with Serena sending the backhand into the net. BREAK! Serena misses her forehand and Azarenka takes the lead in the third set
Azarenka out and limbering herself up
As Serena laces up, Azarenka is up and about on the court. The Belarussian started to meditate as Serena got the medical attention. Anyway, play continues.
Medical timeout Serena
Serena takes the longer medical time out as the trainer works on her left foot/ankle. Doesn’t appear to be a twist. Extra taping going up on the bottom of the left foot. If it ends this way, that would be a real shame. Or even if it hampers Serena’s movement.
Williams* 6-1, 3-6, 0-0 Azarenka (* denotes server)
From 40-0 up, Serena has been brought to deuce. But more worryingly, she is feeling her ankle. The trainer is out for her. Worrying look on the faces of Patrick Mouratoglou and Alexis. The trainer working on her left ankle.
Serena comes into this match on the back of three 3-setters. She lost the opening set in two of them (Sloane and Pironkova) and had won in one (vs Sakkari)
Serena Williams has played 11 matches since the restart of the tour last month.
— Christopher Clarey 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇪🇸 (@christophclarey) September 11, 2020
Nine have gone the distance to 3 sets
Azarenka refuses to quit. But we knew that, didn’t we?
No quit from Vika 💪
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2020
She evens it up and we're going to a deciding third 👀 pic.twitter.com/YoWKsmVmV1
Second set stats
Second set: Victoria Azarenka 6-3
Azarenka looked down and out after the first set but she’s turning things around tremendously. She served better in the second set and to her credit, is hitting the ball much better now and forcing Serena into going for more.
Williams 6-1, 3-6 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Serena with rising errors all of a sudden. Misses two regular forehands and Azarenka has two set point chances. She takes the first with a backhand winner.
Williams* 6-1, 3-5 Azarenka (* denotes server)
‘Oh god!’ exclaims Serena after an all-out attack and onslaught from Azarenka. On equal level was Serena but in defensive fashion. Williams kept the point going but not beyond Azarenka moving into the ball for a winner. That was great, great hitting. At 40-30, the roles are reserved. Now Serena goes on the attack and Azarenka does the defensive work. And the outcome goe Serena’s way. On deuce, Azarenka with grear get for a winner on the stretch to negate Serena’s stretched volley. Fantastic point by both. Azarenka holds with an ace – her first of the match.
WOWZA! This is bonkers tennis.
Wow 😮
— Firstpost Sports (@FirstpostSports) September 11, 2020
(via @usopen)#USOpen LIVE: https://t.co/YgtdZct5Pb pic.twitter.com/A0VjVxQymq
Williams 6-1, 3-4 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Azarenka with another commanding show on the return of serve. She is hitting the ball much better and creates a break point opportunity which is quickly denied by a big Serena serve. Williams holds serve but it isn’t as comfortable as the first set was
Williams* 6-1, 2-4 Azarenka (* denotes server)
Just what Azarenka needed after that break – a love hold of serve. She gets the job done to consolidate the serve and suddenly the tables have turned.
Williams 6-1, 2-3 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Azarenka gets two break point opportunities and she needs just the one. On her second break of the match, Azarenka rides the Serena groundstrokes to capitalise on one slightly shorter ball for a backhand cross court winner. Just what she needed!
Williams* 6-1, 2-1 Azarenka (* denotes server)
A love hold for Azarenka. Welcome sight for her to try and keep the pressure on Serena’s serve and get the break she needs to prolong this match.
Williams 6-1, 2-1 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
An ace brings up game point for Serena and she takes it after a lengthy, incredible rally. Both players moving side-to-side, finding the angles, going on attack and then defence before Serena finds the absolute corner of the court for her forehand winner.
Williams* 6-1, 1-1 Azarenka (* denotes server)
A smash put away on a short ball makes it 30-30 and a backhand winner on serve brings up a break point for Serena. Another chance to take the lead early int he set. And saved! The serve return is into the net and that is an opportunity missed. It was there for the taking. Winners on both wings gets Azarenka on board in the second and out of a hole
Williams 6-1, 1-0 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
A love hold for Serena Williams at the start of the second set. The first set attack mode moving to the second. Watch out, Vika!
First set in numbers
First set Serena Williams.
She said "Come here, I have more for you."@serenawilliams takes the first set from Victoria Azarenka in 34 mins 6-1.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/ROBy4zSjKh
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 11, 2020
First set: Serena Williams 6-1
Serena Williams comes out in all-attack mode and Victoria Azarenka doesn’t have an answer. Serena wins the opening set in 34 minutes with Azarenka playing an errant game thus far
Williams* 6-1 Azarenka (* denotes server)
From 40-0 up, Azarenka drops three straight points to be drawn to deuce. Serena stretching the Belarusian with a well played lob being one of them. A big Serena backhand brings up set point. Saved. Brave backhand from Azarenka to find the sideline for a winner. Uh-oh! A fourth double fault brings the game once again to deuce. Azarenka goes for too much on the backhand and gives Serena a second set point. This game going over seven minutes. This one is converted. Serena with a dominant return to open the court up and runs in for a forehand winner.
Great stat that.
Obviously her disappointing performances in Slam finals has gotten the attention, but Serena has been GREAT in Slam semifinals since her maternity leave.
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) September 11, 2020
8-0 in sets, and most not close:
6-2
6-4
6-3
6-0
6-1
6-2
6-3
6-1#USOpen
Williams 5-1 *Azarenka (* denotes server)
Yet another good game from Azarenka and she has improved after that shaky start. The drive volley brings up break point to get one back but she misses her backhand. Well wide. Serena holds after Azarenka misses her approach forehand.
Fair point, Pam.
Why play defense @serenawilliams when your offense is this good. @usopen @espn
— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) September 11, 2020
Williams* 4-1 Azarenka (* denotes server)
Much better from Azarenka in that game. Serena sends her serve return into the net and Vika gets on the board. Some glimpses of what she’s capable of in that game. Moving well, hitting the ball well and matching Serena from the back. Except the luck of the let chord went Serena’s way. But, positive signs for what’s to come.
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