US Open 2020 LIVE Updates – Serena Williams vs Victoria Azarenka

The mother of all matches at the US Open 2020 is here as two iconic working mothers in tennis – 23-time Grand Slam winner Serena Williams and former world number one Victoria Azarenka – face each other. This is their 23rd career meeting and Williams leads Azarenka 18-4 in their past matches. However, Azarenka is unbeaten in her past 11 matches. They face-off today for a place in the US Open 2020 finals where Naomi Osaka awaits.

Set three: Azarenka defeats Serena Williams to reach the final

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, 3-6

Azarenka starts the game with a strong first serve and backs it up on the next point with heavy groundstrokes to leave Serena reeling as she tries to defend. Serving for the match is one of the nerviest games, and Williams strikes back with a winner as Azarenka serves a double fault for 30-30.

Azarenka shows her steely resolve to serve a huge ace for match point. Another massive first serve on the next point earns her the spot in the US Open 2020 final.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, 3-5*

Serving to stay in the match, Serena has an early hiccup at 0-15. But determined to force a comeback, the third seed quickly wins a couple of points with some good serving. Williams holds for 5-3 and it is now up to Azarenka as she serves for a place in the US Open 2020 final.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, *2-5

Serena Williams in comeback mode can be tough for anyone to face. But Azarenka used her experience to good effect. She raced to a 40-0 lead, not giving Serena a chance to make things happen. She holds to 15 to go within just one game of the final.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, 2-4*

The net cord helps Serena this time as a Serena forehand drops in on Azarenka’s side of the court. Williams keeps her focus on serve to win the game to 15. It was a much-needed comfortable hold for Serena.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, *1-4

The luck just does not seem to be with Williams. She finally earns a look on Azarenka’s serve, but on the next point the ball just clips the net during a rally and falls in for an Azarenka winner. Azarenka follows that up with a forehand winner for a game point before a Serena Williams error gives her the game.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, 1-3*

Serena still looked troubled by her injury. But she left it behind for the time being at least and takes the attack to Azarenka to hold and stay in the match. Serena lets out another roar to pump herself up.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, *0-3

Knowing that she has to make a comeback soon, Serena fights back from 30-0 to 30-30, but Azarenka does not deter from her task. She fires an ace to take a crucial 3-0 lead in the final set.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, 0-2*

Williams wins the first point of the game with a volley winner at the net and lets out a huge roar in relief. A few big serves take her to 40-0. Azarenka does not hold back though, and plays a couple of attacking points to stay in contention. She then fires a backhand winner to take Serena Williams to deuce.

Just then, Williams is seen holding her ankle in pain and calls for the trainer right away. A lengthy medical time-out followed for Serena who received treatment on her ankle and some extra strapping on it. The injury and the resulting interruption came at the worst time for Serena who made a couple of nervy errors to hand Azarenka the break of serve.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6, *0-1

Serena Williams goes up 0-30 as Azarenka starts shakily. But the Belarusian star Azarenka strikes right back and forces Serena on the back foot again. She wins four straight points with some strong serving to take the lead for the first time in the match.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-6*

Azarenka makes the most of a seemingly tired Serena Williams to rush to a 40-15 lead as errors flow from Serena. Azarenka seals the set on her first set point with another strong winner. She now opens the third set with the advantage of serving first.

Victoria Azarenka takes the second set 6-3

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, *3-5

Azarenka keeps her nose ahead on serve. At 30-15, she wins a fantastic rally and matchess Serena shot for shot to bring up two game points. Serena strikes back to force deuce, but Azarenka wins yet another brilliantt rally with a stretch forehand winner, beating Williams at the net. A big serve then gives her a 5-3 lead

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 3-4*

Azarenka uses the newfound momentum on return and continues to trouble Serena’s serve. She brings up another break-point with a backhand winner. But Serena shows shades of the first set and saves it before holding serve with a couple of big first-serve points.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, *2-4

Azarenka produces a second straight hold to 0 to take a 4-2 lead as a few uncharacteristic errors start to flow in from Serena.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 2-3*

Azarenka uses the momentum to take a 0-30 lead. Serena saves it with a strong point. Azarenka then ups her game to bring up two rare break-points with a backhand winner. She hits another backhand winner to seal her first break of the match and makes things interesting all of a sudden

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, *2-2

For the first time in the match, Azarenka holds comfortably and races through the game to stay on serve.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 2-1*

Once again, just as Azarenka tries to take a lead, Serena strikes back with some great play. At 40-30, Serena shows her defensive as well as attacking skills to win a great rally and continues to keep the lead. She fires a forehand winner from a difficult position to win the game.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, *1-1

Just as Azarenka starts to take a lead, Williams fires back with two more winners and brings up another break-point at 30-40. Azarenka saves it and hits two winners to win three straight points and holds for 1-1. She fires herself up with a few ‘come-ons’.

Williams vs Azarenka: 6-1, 1-0*

Serena fires another ace and a couple of other winners and holds to 0. Serena has 15 winners to Azarenka’s 5.

Williams vs Azarenka: *6-1

Azarenka takes a 40-0 lead, but Serena still does not hold back. Unforced errors and double faults continue from Azarenka as Serena jumps back to 40-40. Williams sees the opportunity to step in and fires a backhand winner on the next point to bring up a set point. Azarenka saves it with some attacking play, charging forward.

Azarenka then gives away the advantage with a 4th double fault and a backhand error. This time, Serena seals the set with a wonderful forehand and backhand combination.

Serena Williams takes the opening set 

Williams vs Azarenka: 5-1*

Azarenka shows her defensive skills early in the game to force Serena to play that extra shot. A beautiful lob winner gives her a 15-30 lead. Serena returns with an ace. Azarenka then plays an impressive attacking point and a volley winner gives her a break-point but makes an error to waste it. Serena again serves big on an important point to go ahead before an Azarenka error gives her the game.

Williams vs Azarenka: *4-1

With a bagel set threatening, Azarenka survives another nervy service game. Serena Williams continues to trouble her with a strong return game and pounding groundstrokes. Azarenka held on from 30-30.

Williams vs Azarenka: 4-0*

Wiliams continues to serve strongly and produces winners to keep the pressure on Azarenka who seems to have no reply early on to Williams. She takes a 4-0 lead in less than 15 minutes

Williams vs Azarenka: *3-0

Serena threatens to break again with an early 15-30 lead, but Azarenkacomes back with a backhand winner as Serena approaches the net. Serena then earns another break-point with a forehand winner, before an Azarenka error gives her a double break of serve.

Williams vs Azarenka: 2-0*

Azarenka rushes to a 15-30 lead, but Serena strikes back and shows her class. She brings in her big serves to go 40-30 up, before another big serve gives her the game.

Williams vs Azarenka: *1-0

Williams steps on the court and aims to reach her 34th major final and 11th at the US Open. Her opponent, Azarenka, aims to reach her third US Open final.

Serena Williams sets up two break points in the first game itself with a backhand winner down the line. Azarenka double faults and hands Serena the early break.