Serena Williams' quest for a 24th grand slam title was dealt a blow as she was defeated by Victoria Azarenka in the US Open semifinals.
Serena Williams enjoyed her best start at this year's US Open on Thursday but it was a familiar foe, Victoria Azarenka, who finished the stronger to halt her friend and fellow mom's quest for a record 24th grand slam title.
Follow @cnnsport Blown away in the first set by Williams' serves and powerful, accurate drives, Azarenka rallied for a 1-6 6-3 6-3 victory as the women's semifinals in New York hit lofty heights. Not helping Williams' cause was injuring her left Achilles in the second game of the decider, prompting a rare mid-game medical timeout. Williams, though, said the injury didn't bother her thereafter.
Meet the new Victoria Azarenka 01:46The Belarusian last won a grand slam title, at the Australian Open, and last a made a grand slam final, in New York against Williams, seven years ago. "Mentally I'm in such a different place," the 31-year-old told reporters."I think seven years ago, after I won the Australian Open and stuff, and playing kind of consistently with good results, it was kind of expected for me to be in the final. I don't think that was the case this year.
Time Out: Naomi Osaka draws and tries to come out of her shell 03:11"She's had a lot of, I would say, downs in her career," said Williams."She started on a lot of highs."I don't know how she stayed positive. That's a good lesson for all of us. No matter what, you just got to keep going. Hopefully she keeps living her dream."The perfect ending to the dream would be winning Saturday's final against Osaka.
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