2020 US Open: Victoria Azarenka downs Elise Mertens to reach 1st SF in 7 years

Victoria Azarenka reached the semi-finals of the 2020 US Open with an imperious 6-1, 6-0 win over Elise Mertens in their last-eight clash on Wednesday. The former world no. 1 needed just an hour and 13 minutes to grab the win.

Azarenka began the match by breaking the 16th seed’s serve in the opening game of the first set and that set the tone for her dictating proceedings for the rest of the encounter. The two-time former Australian Open champion captured the opening set after 35 minutes. The second set followed on the same pattern and Mertens, despite all her efforts, came out as the second-best player.

The Belarusian finished the match with 21 winners and 11 unforced errors, for a total of 60 points. She approached the net 10 times and eight points of these 10 approaches. Mertens, meanwhile, had 17 winners and 23 unforced errors. For the entirety of the match, she won 35 points.

Talking about her performance, in her post-match press conference, Azarenka said, “I felt today I really executed the game very precisely,” Azarenka told press after the match. “I was moving really well. I saw the ball very long. It was long on my racquet. I saw it where I needed to see it. So, I felt I played well. I found all the right answers to everything she was trying to make today and more, so I'm very happy with that today.”

2020 US Open: Victoria Azarenka's 10th consecutive victory

Apart from being happy about the result itself, Azarenka has a bigger reason to cheer about her performance. This is the first time in seven years, since 2013, she’s reached the penultimate round at Flushing Meadows. Back then, she reached the finals before finishing as the runner-up to Serena Williams, the rival whom she will take on in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Speaking about her upcoming semis against Williams, Azarenka said, “Can it get any better? For me, it can't. I'm so excited about this. It's an amazing opportunity to play against a champion, someone who I respect a lot, who is my friend. I'm just so excited for this opportunity and I hope people are excited for this match.”

Victoria Azarenka and Williams’ 2020 US Open clash will be their 23rd meeting. Williams holds the edge in their rivalry, with a head-to-head of 18-4. Azarenka’s last win over Williams came in the final of the 2016 BNP Paribas Open, in Indian Wells.

Photo Credit: Darren Carroll/USTA

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