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Top 5 Photos 9/10: Azarenka secures US Open final spot

By Jordaan Sanford

Fans around the world were most definitely on the edge of their seats taking in Thursday's semifinal action in Flushing Meadows. Both semifinal matches went the distance under the Arthur Ashe Stadium closed-roof.

These are the Top 5 Photos from the US Open.

1

Victoria Azarenka

Coming into Thursday's semifinal the Belarusian trailed 4-18 in her head-to-head record against Serena Williams. Azarenka also had never come out victorious against Serena on the major stage. That all changed as she posted a 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 score to advance into the US Open final. The world No. 27 has reached the finals in New York in 2012 and 2013 but has yet to claim the major trophy.

"Hopefully it inspires women to go after their dreams. I feel like you can't always identify yourself as just one thing," Azarenka said of inspiring mothers around the world.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates winning the second set during her Women's Singles semifinal match against Serena Williams of the United States on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

2

Serena Williams

Serena started off strong but struggled to find depth on her shots in the second and third sets. Azarenka gained more confidence and took advantage of the shorter balls from Serena to ultimately edge the 23-time major champion. Serena's quest to 24 major titles will continue in Paris.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Serena Williams of the United States returns the ball during her Women's Singles semifinal match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

3

Jennifer Brady

The UCLA Bruin had an amazing couple of weeks in New York, and although she came up short against Naomi Osaka, there's much the 25-year-old has to be proud of.

"I think I'm just proud of my effort, that I treated each match as, you know, the same, came in with the same mentality," Brady told press. "The only goal I had was just to compete on every single point. I felt like that's what I did. I'm leaving here pretty proud."

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Jennifer Brady of the United States returns the ball during her Women's Singles semifinal match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

4

Naomi Osaka

It was far from easy for the 2-time major champion. Osaka's 7-6 (1), 3-6, 6-3 win required the utmost focus, intensity and accurate ball striking to top the American. Osaka's into her third major Grand Slam and will face Azarenka.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: (L-R) Naomi Osaka of Japan taps rackets at center court with Jennifer Brady of the United States after winning their Women's Singles semifinal match on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

5

Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares

Although Mate Pavic and Bruno Soares had no seeded number next to their names, they managed to defeat the odds as they claimed the men's doubles title. Pavic and Soares defeated No. 8 seed Wesley Koolhof and Nikola Metic. 7-5, 6-3.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: Mate Pavic (R) of Croatia and Bruno Soares (L) of Brazil celebrate with the trophy after winning their Men's Doubles final match against Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Nikola Mektic of Croatia on Day Eleven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2020 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
© Getty Images