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(CNN) – Serena Williams enjoyed her best start at this year’s US Open on Thursday, but it was a familiar foe, Victoria Azarenka, who finished stronger to stop her friend and fellow mother’s search for a record 24th Grand Slam title. .
Impressed in the first set by Williams’ services and powerful and accurate attacks, Azarenka rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory as the women’s semifinals in New York reached lofty heights.
Failing to help Williams’ cause was injuring his left Achilles tendon in the second game of the decider, leading to a rare mid-game timeout. Williams, however, said the injury didn’t bother her thereafter.
Naomi Osaka needed three sets to defeat Grand Slam semifinalist Jennifer Brady 7-6 3-6 6-3 earlier in another high-quality fight dominated by great serves and forehands.
With the roof closed at Arthur Ashe Stadium due to the rain, and with no fans within the capacity of around 24,000, his thunderous ground shots sounded even louder.
Saturday’s final will therefore be a rematch of the Western & Southern Open warm-up, also played at the US Open site as part of the tournament bubble, rather than the 2018 US Open final, when Osaka beat Williams. in a controversial ending for a maiden. higher.
In and out of court this fortnight, Osaka has worn a mask with the names of blacks who have died in incidents with the police. This time he honored Philando Castile.
Fans have stayed away as part of the bubble during the coronavirus pandemic and who knows if their support would have sparked another return this fortnight from the legendary Williams.
What is known is that this is the ninth time the 38-year-old American has come up short in trying to match Margaret Court’s all-time record for Grand Slam titles.
Go to the French Open
“Obviously it is disappointing,” Williams told reporters. “At the same time, I did what I could. I feel like I’ve been around other times and could have done better. I felt like I gave a lot.”
Such was his determination to get No. 24, before the tournament, Williams built a tennis court at his home in Florida with the same surface as the US Open.
Under normal circumstances, the US Open would mark the end of the grand slam calendar and, more generally, the Williams season.
However, with the schedules adjusted this year due to the pandemic, the French Open starts in just over two weeks.
It has historically proven to be Williams’ toughest race in terms of titles, but he plans to make the trip to Europe. He has an apartment in Paris and he likes to play on clay.
“I am definitely going to Paris,” he said.
Williams was barely wrong on the first serve, only losing two points behind his first serve and recording four more winners than unforced errors.
But against him, Azarenka held on in her first service game of the second saving a break point.
Azarenka gradually lifted her game and Williams didn’t earn a point behind her second serve in the second set.
Williams was now on defense and needed to hold his ground in his first service game of the third. A 40-0 lead went to 40-30. He then pinched the Achilles tendon while giving up the next point and called the coach.
Upon his return, Williams broke down to fall behind 2-0.
‘I’m fine’
“It just stretched too far,” he said. “It was pretty intense.” He later added that it had nothing to do with the end result.
“Ultimately, it didn’t affect my game at all, just for that point. I’m fine.”
Azarenka has tested Williams in previous fights, but this marked his first win in 11 Grand Slams attempts.
Looking ahead to the past month, few would have predicted it. Former World No. 1, Azarenka did not win a match for a year, until the Western & Southern Open, to be seeded at this US Open.
She has endured a bitter custody battle around her son, Leo, being injured and considering retiring.
The Belarusian last won a Grand Slam title, at the Australian Open, and last made a Grand Slam final, in New York against Williams, seven years ago.
“Mentally I am in such a different place,” the 31-year-old told reporters. “I think seven years ago, after I won the Australian Open and stuff, and playing consistently with good results, I was expected to be in the final. I don’t think that would be the case this year.
“But it feels more fun this year, more satisfying, more enjoyable for me. It feels good, better.”
Azarenka, who spoke frankly, said that hurting his ego was precisely what he needed to grow.
“The best tools were for me to lose a lot of games,” he said. “That was the greatest tool I could get. I could stay on my great horse or I could just change it and learn from it.
“I feel like I’m very proud of myself for taking on the challenge to lose, turn it around and be better. I’m not talking about a better tennis player.
“I’m talking about a better person for me, for my son. I’m most proud of that.”
Serena’s Coach Help
Ironically, Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou was involved in Azarenka’s victory. He helped establish Azarenka’s new entourage, including coach Dorian Descloix, after she trained with Williams and others before the season in Florida.
Off the court, Azarenka sang Karaoke with Williams.
“She has had a lot of, I would say, casualties in her career,” Williams said. “She started out with a lot of ups and downs.
“I don’t know how she stayed positive. That’s a good lesson for everyone. Whatever happens, you have to move on. Hopefully she continues to live her dream.”
The perfect ending to the dream would be to win Saturday’s final against Osaka. A hamstring injury forced Osaka, who represents Japan but, like Azarenka, is based in the US, to withdraw from the West and South final, so the conclusion never occurred.
Osaka and Brady each had 35 winners each and only committed a combined 42 unforced errors. But Brady sank slightly in the tiebreaker.
Leveling up to take him to a decider, the American broke for the only time at 1-2 in the third. Brady didn’t challenge his shot that was called long, even though replays showed the ball to be good.
Osaka did not face a break point in the third.
“I’m sure this time we’re going to get to play and it will be a great match,” Azarenka said as she looked towards the final. “She’s already won two (grand slams). Aren’t we both looking for a third?”
In fact they are. For Williams, the search for 24 will have to wait until Paris.
This story was first published on CNN.com “Serena Williams upset over Victoria Azarenka at US Open, temporarily ending record bid for 24th major”
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