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29 March 2024

US Open Women's Singles SF: Serena books final rematch with Azarenka

Published
By Sports Correspondent with Agencies

Defending champion Serena Williams slugged her way to a US Open title rematch against Victoria Azarenka as the top two seeds scored straight-sets knockouts in their semi-finals on Friday.

World number one Williams thrashed a rattled Li Na 6-0 6-3, overcoming some staunch resistance at the end, while Azarenka returned to the Flushing Meadows final with a 6-4 6-2 win over unseeded Italian Flavia Pennetta.

"Just to be able to defend a title for once would be really awesome," said French Open winner Williams, who will get her chance on Sunday after failing to go back-to-back following her 1999, 2002 and 2008 titles in New York.

Although overpowered in the opening set, Li battled valiantly in the second, saving six match points to hold serve before the top seed finally closed the deal on a seventh with an unreturned serve.

"It was a good match. It was tough at the end," Williams said. "I got a little nervous but I was able to close it out."

Former French Open champion Li, China's first semi-finalist at the US Open, admitted that she experienced a bout of nerves when she hit the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

"I should not be, like, nervous because (it was) not (the) first time to play semis," said Li, twice an Australian Open finalist. "But when I walked to the court I was feeling the court (was) so big. I mean, even my side, it was feeling like a football court.

"In the end, finally, I can play tennis," she added with a smile.

Williams, hot off a 6-0 6-0 quarter-final win against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, had won 24 consecutive games before Li held serve in the second game of the second set.

"To hear constantly, 'go Serena, go Serena,' it is really a pleasure. I hear young voices and older voices and it really makes me feel so special," said Williams.

Williams and Azarenka's final will be the first back-to-back title clash at the US Open since Serena and her older sister Venus battled for the crown in 2002.

Belarusian Azarenka trails 12-3 head-to-head against Williams, but has won two of their last three matches, hardcourt finals in Doha and Cincinnati.

"When you play against Serena, you have to play your best," said Azarenka. "She makes me play my best."

Williams is bidding for a fifth US Open title and her 17th in grand slams.

At 31, she would become the oldest women's winner at Flushing Meadows since tennis turned professional in 1968, supplanting Australia's Margaret Court who won in 1973.

Belarussian Victoria Azarenka reached her second straight US Open final with a 6-4 6-2 win over Italy's Flavia Pennetta on Friday.

"I'm so excited. It's been a long road to the final. It's an amazing feeling, to fight for the trophy," said Azarenka, a former US Open junior champion and mixed doubles winner.

Both players struggled to keep their serve on centre court with 13 breaks of serve in the 18 games but Azarenka's power was too much for the enterprising Pennetta, who returned from a serious wrist injury to reach her first grand slam semi-final.

There were five service breaks in a row before Azarenka, the Australian Open winner, held to win the set after an intense battle where the unseeded, 31-year-old Pennetta saved five set points.

The second set followed a similar pattern, with three broken serves before Azarenka turned up the power, holding to go up 3-1 in the set and then breaking Pennetta, ranked 83rd in the world, with a powerful backhand winner.

Azarenka, 24, also struggled to make her serve count though, offering a glimmer of hope to the 31-year-old Italian when she went wide with a return on break point.

But once again Pennetta was unable to hold, twice finding the net to hand Azarenka the chance to serve for the game and despite a brave effort from the Italian, who produced a sizzling return down the line in the final game, Azarenka sealed the win with a well-placed forehand.

SECOND SET

Defending champion Serena Williams cantered into the final of the US Open with a 6-0 6-4 win over China's Li Na in a lop side second semifinal.

Li chips a forehand into the net as Serena win game, set and match 6-3.

Match point number seven for Serena as Li hits a backhand long.

It's 30-all as Serena lobs out after a terrific rally from Li.

Li comes back as Serena finds the net.

Serena hits a backhand winner and forces an error for Li to be 30-0.

Serena is serving for the match.

Li stays alive after a game which lasted over 13 minutes after saving six match points. Li 0-6 3-5.

Serena loses the point with a backhand returns to the net.

Li stays in the game smashing a forehand winner as the game goes to deuce number eight.

Li returns a backhand to the net as Serena gets matchpoint number six.

Serena swings a forehand wide as the game returns to deuce.

Serena gets matchpoint number five with a backhand winner.

It's deuce number six as Serena hits a forehand winner.

Serena is committing unforced errors into the net.

Match point number four for Serena as Li returns a forehand.

A double fault by Li returns the game to deuce.

Li wins a great rally with a forehand winner.

DEUCE! Serena loses the point with a forehand to the net.

It's matchpoint number three for Serena who hits a forehand winner to the far left.

It's deuce as Serena pulls a backhand wide.

Serena gets match point number two getting past Li with a superb crosscourt forehand.

Li save one match point as Serena finds the net.

It's match point for Serena after Li returns an unforced error.

Serena is 30-0 with a forehand slice to the right corner.

Serena is 15-0 swinging a forehand to left corner.

Li is serving to save the match with Serena on the rampage.

ACE! Serena holds with her fourth ace of the final having played a ferocious backhand during a terrific exchange. Serena 6-0 5-2.

BREAK! Serena breaks Li who loses the game with an unforced forehand. Serena 6-0 4-2.

Breakpoint for Serena as Li hits a backhand to the net.

Serena reasserts her dominance with a backhand winner after a long rally.

Serena holds as Li who returns a backhand over the line. Serena 6-0 3-2.

BREAK! Serena finally breaks Li who hits backhand long. Serena 6-0 2-2.

DEUCE! Li commits a couple of unforced errors as Serena battles back from 0-40 down.

BREAK! Li breaks Serena for the first time despite the world number one saving two break points. Li 0-6 2-1.

Li holds for the first time finishing a lovely forehand at the net. Li 0-6 1-1

Serena wins her seven games in a row as Li has commits 14 unforced errors and only one winner so far. Serena 6-0 1-0.

ACE! Serena begins the second set with a 117mph ace.

FIRST SET

BAGEL! It's a third consecutive bagel for Serena who wraps up the first set in just 29 minutes after a third double fault by Li who smashes out a forehand at the net earlier. Serena 6-0.

Li is serving to save the set with Serena in firm control.

Serena holds again rattling Li with her serve and volley game. Serena 5-0.

BREAK! Serena is in control as Li is broken again making too many unforced errors. Serena 4-0

Serena holds with her booming serve coming to her rescue after Li battles back to get a break point after deuce, before returning a backhand into the net. Serena 3-0

ACE! Serena serves the first ace of the match in the third game.

BREAK! Serena breaks Li who smacks a forehand into the net after a superb closing rally. Serena 2-0.

Double fault by Li takes the second game to deuce.

Serena opens in style winning the game with a backhand winner 40-0. Serena 1-0

Serena and Li are warming up for the second semifinal.

Belarussian Victoria Azarenka beat Italian Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-2 on Friday to reach her second consecutive US Open final.

The Australian Open champion heads into Sunday's women's singles final having dropped just two sets in the year's last Grand Slam, where she was a runner-up last year to Serena Williams.

SECOND SET

Azarenka wins game, set and match 6-2 with a forehand winner which Pennetta cannot get nearPennetta saves another match point with a forehand winner which is just in.

Pennetta saves one match point with a backhand volley winner.

Azarenka has triple match point with a swinging forehand.

Azarenka is serving for the match.

BREAK! Pennetta smashes a forehand into the net giving Azarenka a double breakpoint which she seals as the Italian loses the game with an unforced error. Azarenka 6-4 5-1.

BREAK! Pennetta battles back unleashing forehand crosscourt winners to win after three deuces.

Azarenka misses the line with a final forehand to drop her serve. Pennetta 4-6 2-4.

BREAK! Pennetta has been broken at love by Azarenka who wins the game with a backhand winner. Azarenka 6-4 4-1.

Pennetta who has been broken in the last five service games opens with her third double fault.

Azarenka holds service to go 3-1 up with a forehand volley winner. Azarenka 6-4 3-1.

BREAK! Pennetta is broken again despite serving an ace with a backhand which goes into the net. Pennetta 4-6 1-2.

ACE! Pennetta serves the first ace of the match to go 30-15 up.

BREAK! Pennetta breaks as Azarenka begins with her sixth double fault and ends with a poor forehand. Pennetta 1-1.

BREAK! Azarenka breaks as Pennetta loses the game with a forehand unforced error to the corner also losing the challenge. Azarenka 1-0.

FIRST SET

Azarenka manages to hold serve for only the second time to win the first set 6-4 after five deuces and six set points in a game which lasted 10 minutes.

Pennetta saved set point with a forehand winner to left corner.

Azarenka surprises Penetta with a short slicked backhand.

BREAK! Azarenka wins another error-strewn game to break Pennetta and serve for the set leading 5-4.

BREAK! Azarenka fails to hold the service with poor serves and a couple of unforced backhand errors. 4-4.

BREAK! Azarenka bounces back after Pennetta surrendered a 30-0 advantage with a couple of unforced errors. Azarenka 4-3.

BREAK! Pennetta draws level after two double faults costs Azarenka as loses the game with a backhand unforced.

BREAK! Azarenka breaks Pennetta for the second time to lead 3-2 clinching it with a booming forehand as Pennetta returns it weakly.

Azarenka holds service for the first time sealing it with a lovely backhand drop shot. Azarenka 2-2.

Pennetta holds service to lead 2-1. Azarenka had chances to break but allowed the Italian to win four points on the trot.

BREAK! Penetta breaks even after two double faults from Azarenka.

Azarenka's back hand clips the net and Pennetta hits a backhand winner to make it 1-1.

Great start by Azarenka who breaks service despite Pennetta coming from 0-40 down to save two break points.

It's game on with Pannetta to serve.

Azarenka and Pennetta are warming up at the Arthur Ashe Stadium after the Mixed Doubles ceremony is finally over.

PREVIEW

Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka are one step away from booking a tantalising championship rematch at the US Open heading into an intriguing set of women's semifinals on Friday.

Williams, the top-seeded defending champion, will look to extend a dominant run through the women's draw against fifth-seeded Li Na of China, who became the first Chinese to reach the last four at the US Open.

Second seed Azarenka will face Italy's unseeded Flavia Pennetta, whose brilliant run at Flushing Meadows has carried her to her first Grand Slam semi-final.

Should form prevail, Williams and Azarenka would set up the first repeat final at the US Open since Serena Williams played her sister Venus Williams for the prize in 2002.

Azarenka, 24, joined the trio of 31 year olds with a last-eight victory over 30-year-old Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia in a women's draw that has underlined the fitness and ferocity of the old guard.

Should they lift the trophy on Sunday, Williams, Li or Pennetta would become the oldest US Open women's winner since tennis turned professional in 1968, supplanting Australian Margaret Court, who was 31 years and 55 days old when she triumphed in 1973.

Williams has been on fire, losing only 13 games and spent the least time on court although she has done double duty playing with sister Venus in the women's doubles.

The American aced her quarter-finals test against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro by delivering a 6-0 6-0 double bagel win.

Williams later offered a shuddering thought.

"I like to believe there is always room for improvement," she said.

Against former French Open winner Li, current French Open champion Williams holds an 8-1 advantage in head-to-head meetings, but has had some hard battles along the way. She won their last encounter in Cincinnati 7-5 7-5 in the semis.

Williams holds the Chinese player in high regard.

"She's a great challenge," Williams said. "She moves really well. She does everything well.

"We've always played really close. Maybe next time we play she might want to go from close to a win."

Li has been on a revenge tour, beating Briton Laura Robson to avenge a 2012 US Open loss, and Serb Jelena Jankovic, who had enjoyed a four-match winning streak against her.

"It's a good challenge to play against her, because I think we always have tough match, even in Cincinnati," said Li.

"There are only four players at end of the tournament, so nothing you can worry about. Just play the tennis. Just enjoy the time."

Azarenka and Pennetta have split their two previous matches, missing a crack at a rubber match when the Belarusian withdrew from their second-round Wimbledon contest this year because of a knee injury.

Pennetta, like Williams, has not dropped a set during her US Open run and is back to playing at her best level after having her 2012 season curtailed by a wrist injury that kept her out of the US Open and required surgery.

"I'm confident because I'm here," said Pennetta, who ousted fourth-seeded compatriot Sara Errani, former champion Svetlana Kunznetsova and red-hot Simona Halep along the way.

"I really don't feel this pressure. In Italy we already have one champion in grand slam," she said, referring to 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone.

"I really don't feel this pressure right now."

Azarenka, who overcame former number one Ana Ivanovic 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the fourth round, said she would not underestimate the Italian despite her ranking of 83.

"Flavia is such an amazing person," said Azarenka. "To see her go through the injuries and coming up with the best results she has right now, it's really amazing.

"She's a very good player, an all-around player. She can do anything. She has great touch, great variety. She can create power, create spin. She's also very experienced and has been in the top 10.

"Her ranking doesn't matter. It's about the moment right now, and she's playing terrific tennis."

Paths to women's semifinals at US Open

Flavia Pennetta (Italy), world number 83 First round - beat Nicole Gibbs (US) 6-0 6-2 Second round - beat 4-Sara Errani (Italy) 6-3 6-1 Third round - beat 27-Sevetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 7-5 6-1 Fourth round - beat 21-Simona Halep (Romania) 6-2 7-6(3) Quarter-finals - beat 10-Roberta Vinci (Italy) 6-4 6-1 Total time on court: six hours, two minutes

5-Li Na (China), world number six First round - beat Olga Govortsova (Belarus) 6-2 6-2 Second round - beat Sofia Arvidsson (Sweden) 6-2 6-2 Third round - beat Laura Robson (Britain) 6-2 7-5 Fourth round - beat 9-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) 6-3 6-0 Quarter-finals - beat Ekaterina Makarova (Russia) 6-4 6-7(5) 6-2 Total time on court: six hours, 46 minutes

2-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus), world number two First round - beat Dinah Pfizenmaier (Germany) 6-0 6-0 Second round - Aleksandra Wozniak (Canada) 6-3 6-1 Third round - beat 26-Alize Cornet (France) 6-7(2) 6-3 6-2 Fourth round - beat 13-Ana Ivanovic (Serbia) 4-6 6-3 6-4 Quarter-finals - beat Daniela Hantuchova (Slovakia) 6-2 6-3 Total time on court: eight hours, 19 minutes

Flavia Pennetta (Italy), world number 83 First round - beat Nicole Gibbs (U.S.) 6-0 6-2 Second round - beat 4-Sara Errani (Italy) 6-3 6-1 Third round - beat 27-Sevetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) 7-5 6-1 Fourth round - beat 21-Simona Halep (Romania) 6-2 7-6(3) Quarter-finals - beat 10-Roberta Vinci (Italy) 6-4 6-1 Total time on court: six hours, two minutes