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Patna : Unseeded Victoria Azarenka, 31, Belarus, a former World No 1, stunned 3rd seed Serena Williams, 38, USA, in a three-set battle in the women’s semi-finals of US Open (Tennis) championships at Newyork City, Newyork, USA, on September 11, 2020, to set up a showdown with 2018 US champion Naomi Osaka, 22, Japan, in the final on September 13, 2020.
Azarenka beat Serena 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the semi-finals rallying back from one set down dashing the latter’s hope of winning a record equalling 24th Grand Slam singles titles at least for the time being. Azarenka, who won Australian Open singles titles in 2012 and 2013, served just 2 Aces in the match to 6 by six-time US Open Champion Serena, the winner of 73 career titles. Both the players won 3 break points each in the match.
The Belarusian won 5 games in a row during the match to 4 by the American. Azarenka’s winning percentage on her first serve was 68% compared to 72% of Serena’s. But, Azarenka’s winning percentage on her second serve (57%) was much higher than that of Serena’s (42%). It will be Azarenka’s third appearance in US Open Final. She had reached US Open final in 2012 and 2013 too and has won 21 career titles.
Naomi Osaka, a former World No 1 having also won Australian Open singles title in 2019, defeated 28th seed Jennifer Brady, 25, in a tough three-set contest 7-6, 3-6, 6-3 in the SFs. Both the players won just one break point each in the match. Osaka fired 9 Aces in the match to 10 by Brady. Both the players won 3 games each in a row in the match. But, Osaka’s winning percentage both on her first and second serve ( 84% & 59 %) was much higher than that of Brady’s (77% & 53%). Osaka has won 5 career titles.