Azarenka will play against Japan Naomi osaka Saturday in his third final at Flushing Meadows, having lost the previous two to Williams in 2012 and 2013.
Azarenka said her mental game had been crucial in beating the 38-year-old Williams, who needed a medical timeout to have his left ankle re-bandaged in the third set due to an Achilles tendon problem.
“I have been working to find a calm mind and keep the body functioning,” said the Belarusian in an interview on the court. “He got me into a big hole in the first set. I needed to find energy to get out of the hole and it wasn’t easy.”
Williams, a six-time US Open champion, came out shooting winners from all sides of the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium as Azarenka struggled with her serve, committing four double faults in the first set and winning just six of 15 first serve points. .
Another #USOpen, another brave one led by six-time singles champion @ serenawilliams. It’s always a pleasure, Serena. https://t.co/xg6jHxYVPY
– US Tennis Open (@Usopen) 1599796651000
She also had 10 unforced errors and looked increasingly frustrated, with a mic catching her muttering a couple of expletives before Williams took a 4-1 lead.
Williams wrapped up the first set in just over half an hour, but Azarenka picked up momentum in the second frame, breaking serve from the third seed with a pair of backhand winners from the baseline to take a 3-2 lead.
Playing her first Grand Slam semi-final in seven years, Azarenka outscored Williams on some explosive exchanges of power shots, while her serve also saw vast improvement.
Two seeds from the top five, one to go. https://t.co/H3S8ip1g4e
– US Tennis Open (@Usopen) 1599797502000
The 31-year-old took the set to force a decider after winning nearly 75% of her first serve points and making only one unforced error.
The two-time Australian Open champion kept up the pressure in the third set and appeared to be in a deep meditative state as Williams had her ankle bandaged, not even reacting when an insect landed on the bridge of her nose as she waited to resume the match.
Azarenka then sealed her spot in the final with an ace.
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