09-11-2020, 12:38 PM
Serena Williams knocked out of the US Open by Victoria Azarenka...
Serena Williams' quest to land her 24th Grand Slam singles title came to a stunning end after Victoria Azarenka defeated her in the semi-finals of the US Open in the early hours of Friday morning.
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The American won the first set 6-1 but her Belarusian opponent won the last two sets 6-3 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to set up US Open final showdown with Naomi Osaka.Â
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Williams, who has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles since winning the 2017 Australian Open, was hindered by a jarred ankle in the final set.Â
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She explained that the defeat was "obviously disappointing" as her quest to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam singles titles goes on.
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"At the same time ... I did what I could today," she added. "I feel like other times I've been close and I could have done better. Today I felt like I gave a lot."
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Azarenka, 31, said her mental game had been crucial in beating the 38-year-old Williams.Â
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"I have been working on finding a calm mind and keep the body going," the Belarusian said in an on-court interview. "She dug me in a big hole in the first set. I needed to find energy to climb out of the hole and it wasn't easy."
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Azarenka will play Japan's Naomi Osaka on Saturday in her third final at Flushing Meadows.Â
Serena Williams' quest to land her 24th Grand Slam singles title came to a stunning end after Victoria Azarenka defeated her in the semi-finals of the US Open in the early hours of Friday morning.
Â
The American won the first set 6-1 but her Belarusian opponent won the last two sets 6-3 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to set up US Open final showdown with Naomi Osaka.Â
Â
Williams, who has been stuck on 23 Grand Slam titles since winning the 2017 Australian Open, was hindered by a jarred ankle in the final set.Â
Â
She explained that the defeat was "obviously disappointing" as her quest to equal Margaret Court's record of 24 grand slam singles titles goes on.
Â
"At the same time ... I did what I could today," she added. "I feel like other times I've been close and I could have done better. Today I felt like I gave a lot."
Â
Azarenka, 31, said her mental game had been crucial in beating the 38-year-old Williams.Â
Â
"I have been working on finding a calm mind and keep the body going," the Belarusian said in an on-court interview. "She dug me in a big hole in the first set. I needed to find energy to climb out of the hole and it wasn't easy."
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Azarenka will play Japan's Naomi Osaka on Saturday in her third final at Flushing Meadows.Â