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Serena Williams is upset over Victoria Azarenka at the US Open, who temporarily closes the application for a record 24th place
Shocked in the first set by Williams’ serve and powerful precision shots, Azarenka rallied and took the 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory as the women’s semifinal in New York reached tremendous heights.
Without helping the Williams case, she injured her left Achilles in the second game of the decider, causing a rare mid-game timeout. However, Williams said that after that, the injury did not bother her.
With the roof closed at Arthur Ashe Stadium due to the rain and the lack of fans inside the largest regularly used tennis stadium in the world – with a capacity of about 24,000 people – their thunderous thumps on the ground sounded even louder.
It is known that this is the ninth time that the 38-year-old American has lost, trying to catch up with Margaret Court’s record for the number of Grand Slam titles.
Transition to the French Open
“This is clearly disappointing,” Williams told reporters. “At the same time, I did my best. I feel like I was close another time and could have done better. I felt I gave a lot. “
Such was her determination to land at number 24 ahead of the tournament, Williams built a tennis court at her Florida home with the same surface as the US Open.
Under normal circumstances, the United States Open would mark the end of the Grand Slam calendar and typically Williams’ season.
However, with the schedule changed this year due to the pandemic, the French Open will kick off in just two weeks.
Historically, this is Williams’ hardest Major in terms of titles, but she is planning a trip to Europe. She owns an apartment in Paris and enjoys playing on clay.
“I’m definitely going to Paris,” she said.
Williams barely made a mistake on the first serve, losing only two points on the first serve and counting four more winners than unforced errors.
Despite this, Azarenka continued her first serve in the second game, maintaining her break point.
Azarenka gradually improved her game and Williams didn’t win a point after the second serve in the second set.
Williams was now on the defensive and needed to hold her first serve of the third game. The 40-0 advantage has decreased to 40-30. Then she changed Achilles, passing the next point, and called the coach.
On her return, Williams lost 2-0.
‘I’m fine’
“It’s just overstraining,” she said. “It was pretty intense.” She later added that this had nothing to do with the final result.
“In the end, it didn’t affect my game in any way, only one point. I’m fine”.
Azarenka has tested Williams in previous bouts, but this was her first Grand Slam victory in 11 attempts.
Looking into the past month, few could have predicted this. Former number one in the world, Azarenka did not win a single match in a year before the Western & Southern Open in order not to lose the US Open.
She survived a brutal custody battle revolving around her son Leo, suffered injuries and was considering retirement.
The last time the Belarusian won the Grand Slam title at the Australian Open tennis, and the last time he reached the final of the Grand Slam tournament in New York against Williams seven years ago.
“I’m in a completely different place in my mind,” the 31-year-old journalist told reporters. “I think seven years ago, after I won the Australian Open and everything, and played consistently with good results, I was expected to make the final. I don’t think that was the case this year.
“But it seems to me that this year is more fun, more interesting, more enjoyable. It’s nice, nicer. “
Straightforward Azarenka said that bruising her ego is exactly what she needs to grow.
“The best tool was that I lost a lot of matches,” she said. “It was the biggest tool I could get. I could continue to be on my high horse or just change it and learn from this lesson.
“I just feel very proud of myself that I took the challenge, lost, and changed it and got better. I’m not talking about the best tennis player.
“I’m talking about the best person for myself, for my son. This is what I am most proud of. “
Serena’s Coach Help
Ironically, Williams’ coach Patrick Muratoglu played a part in Azarenka’s victory. He helped shape Azarenka’s new entourage, including coach Dorian Desclokes, after she trained with Williams and others ahead of the Florida season.
Far from the courtyard, Azarenka sang karaoke with Williams.
“I would say there have been many falls in her career,” Williams said. “She started off with many successes.
“I don’t know how she stayed positive. This is a good lesson for all of us. Whatever happens, you just have to keep going forward. I hope she continues to live her dream. “
The perfect ending to that 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 western and southern finals, so the decision never materialized.
Osaka and Brady hit 35 winners each and made only 42 unforced errors. But Brady lost a little in a tie-break.
Equalized to make it to the point, the American was broken the first time 1-2 in the third. Brady did not dispute her shot, which was called long, although the replays showed that the ball was good.
Osaka didn’t survive the break point in third.
“I am sure that this time we will play and it will be a great match,” Azarenka said as she awaited the final. “She has already won two Grand Slam tournaments. Aren’t we looking for a third? “
Indeed, they are. For Williams, the hunt for 24 will have to be postponed until Paris.
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