New Delhi: Former World No.1 Victoria Azarenka ended Serena Williams’ latest bid for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title. Azarenka claimed a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 win over Williams and moves on to face Japan’s Naomi Osaka in the title match, slated to be played on Sunday.
It will be the former world number one’s first appearance in the final of a tennis major since Williams beat her in the final of the US Open in 2013. “That’s my favorite number so I guess that’s meant to be,” Azarenka said of her seven-year wait to return to a Grand Slam singles final.
Two-time Grand Slam winner Azarenka had never beaten Serena Williams before in a Grand Slam and she seemed to be heading for another agonizing loss after being hammered 6-1 in the first set.
"It's been 7 years? That's my favorite number so, I guess that's meant to be."
?@vika7 I #USOpen pic.twitter.com/g2Jqyc0ujb
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2020
After the victory, Azarenka said she is so grateful to play against “such a champion” Williams in the semi-finals.
“I’m so grateful to be able to play such a champion in the semifinals. On the road to the final, you have to beat the best players, and definitely today was that day,” US Open’s official website quoted Azarenka as saying.
✅ 11 wins in a row
✅ First win over Serena at the #USOpen
✅ First Grand Slam final since 2013She’s back. pic.twitter.com/bYStP2VVOZ
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 11, 2020
“I dug myself in a big hole–she dug me in a big hole in the first set. I had to climb my way out of there, one by one. I’m very happy that I was able to turn it around,” she added.
Azarenka’s final-round opponent, Osaka, advanced earlier on Friday owing to a 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 win over Jennifer Brady.
