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Victoria Azarenka Makes Unique Grand Slam Record After Stunning Serena Williams at US Open 2020

Published 09/11/2020, 1:20 AM EDT

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With horrific incidents and an ongoing pandemic, 2020 has been a difficult year for everyone out there. Well, unless you’re Victoria Azarenka. She is one of the few who’s riding the waves of success and good news even in this situation. Coming unseeded into the US Open 2020, Azarenka was elated to reach the finals of the US Open 2020. She is only a step away from clinching the title.

Facing Serena Williams in the semi-finals, Azarenka was definitely not the favorite. Azarenka and Serena had faced each other 10 Grand Slam matches prior to the US Open 2020 semi-finals.

Setting a staggering record, Serena emerged victorious on all occasions. Therefore, the odds were not in the favor of the Belarusian. Defying all odds, Azarenka pulled off a stunning victory in a 3 set thriller at the Arthur Ashe stadium.

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The victory means Azarenka will be playing the finals of a major tournament after a span of 7 years and 5 days. Coincidentally, her last final was in the US Open in the year 2013 where she faced Serena Williams.

Azarenka set a new record by reaching the finals after such a long time. She holds the second-largest gap in terms of two major final appearances.  Venus Williams, whose gap was for 7 years and 207 days, is on the first spot.

Victoria Azarenka will be looking for her maiden US Open

This year has been pretty good for Victoria Azarenka. Resuming tennis after the COVID-19 break, she stormed into the finals of the Western and Southern Open.

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Naomi Osaka was up against her. However, she pulled out just before the game owing to a hamstring injury, giving Azarenka the title. This was her first WTA title since the 2016 Miami Open.

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Coming unseeded in the US Open 2020, she had a smooth sail into the finals. Defeating some seeded players boosted her confidence as she faced Serena in the semis.

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The dark horse of the tournament, Azarenka came back from a set down to walk away with the match 1-6, 6-3, 6-3. The victory is emphatic, considering that she got into the finals of a major tournament after so long. Defeating Serena Williams for the first time in any Grand Slam was the cherry on the top.

Repeating the setup of the finals of the Western and Southern Open, Naomi Osaka stands between her and Grand Slam triumph. The 4th seeded Japanese sensation will hope for a win to clinch 3rd Grand Slam title. On the other hand, Victoria Azarenka will look for her maiden US Open Grand Slam trophy.

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Written by:

Francis Banerjee

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