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NEW YORK – Serena Williams was already struggling to keep up in a fast-paced US Open semifinal when she stopped behind the baseline after a third set point and bowed. She held that pose for a moment, then grabbed her left leg and called for a coach.
While Williams took time off a doctor for a recording job for what he later said was Achilles’ problem (his last attempt at a 24th individual Grand Slam title was apparently slipping away), his opponent, Victoria Azarenka, was sitting in a side seat, eyes closed, calm and composed as can be.
After a delay of about five minutes at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the action resumed, and as Williams increased the strength of his shots and the volume of his screams, it was Azarenka who finished off a 1-6, 6-3 victory on Thursday. , 6-3. return to the final of a major championship for the first time in seven years.
“Maybe,” Williams said, “at some point I took off the gas too much.”
The defeat brought her once again close to record number 24.
She was defeated in the finals of four of the previous seven Slams, including at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2019.
“I mean, it’s obviously disappointing. At the same time, you know, I did what I could today, ”said Williams, who has six US Open individual trophies. “I feel like I’ve been around other times and could have done better. Today I felt that I gave a lot ”.
With his 39th birthday just over two weeks away, the question will be: How many more chances will Williams have? She then confirmed that she will be heading to Paris: the French Open starts on September 27.
As for the Achilles, Williams said he stretched it while chasing a ball during one of the long baseline exchanges with Azarenka, but wouldn’t blame him for the loss.
“I don’t think that had anything to do with it,” said Williams, who repeatedly stood on the baseline when the game returned. “Ultimately, it didn’t affect my game at all.”
In Saturday’s final, Azarenka will face Naomi Osaka in a match between two-time Major League Baseball champions who have been ranked No. 1 in the past and have been by far the top two players since tennis was resumed. last month after a forced hiatus from the pandemic.
Azarenka won the Australian Open in 2012 and 2013 and lost to Williams in the US Open finals those two years.
He’s finally back in a Major title fight.
“How is it different? I mean, mentally, I’m in such a different place. I think seven years ago, after winning the Australian Open and stuff, and playing consistently with good results, it was something I wouldn’t say expected. “But I expected to be in the final. I don’t think that was the case this year,” said Azarenka, a 31-year-old Belarusian who is ranked 27th.
“But it feels more fun this year, more satisfying, more enjoyable for me,” he said. “It feels nice. Better.”
This was Williams’ fourth consecutive hat-trick in New York and while he was much better early on Thursday, rushing to a 4-0 lead in 15 minutes, Azarenka finally got going.
Evidence of Azarenka’s brilliance – he compiled 12 winners and only one unforced error in the second set, then continued his baseline dominance in the third, especially with his backhand.
That led to her first win against Williams in 11 career Grand Slam matches between the pair.
After going a full calendar year without a single victory on the circuit, Azarenka has won 11 matches in a row. Osaka’s streak is 10 after her 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3 win over Jennifer Brady in a hard-hitting semifinal filled with quick serves and strong forehand.
Two weeks ago, Azarenka and Osaka were supposed to play in the final of the Western and Southern Open, a hard-court event that moved from Ohio to New York this year as part of a two-tournament “controlled environment” with the US Open. in the midst of the pandemic, but Osaka withdrew due to a left hamstring injury.
“It’s going to be super fun,” said Azarenka, who sat in her assigned suite in Ashe to watch a bit of Osaka vs. Brady. “Play amazing.”
Osaka had her left leg wrapped for her high-quality semi-final on the court where she beat Williams for the 2018 title. AP
